Sudan evacuation plane is SHOT as it lands at Khartoum, wounding crew member

A Turkish evacuation plane was shot at by paramilitary forces in Sudan as it was landing in the capital of Khartoum today, wounding a crew member and damaging the fuel supply.

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shot at the aircraft at the Wadi Saeedna airbase in a sign of just how dangerous the situation is for those racing to evacuate civilians from the war-torn country.

The plane managed to land safely after the paramilitary forces opened fire and is being fixed, Sudan’s army said.

Thousands of desperate civilians – including 3,000 Britons – are racing to board the last evacuation planes out of the capital before the fragile ceasefire ends in 72 hours.

But with heavy explosions and gunfire rocking parts of the capital – and now evacuation planes being shot at – the situation has become even more desperate for those still trapped in Sudan.

There is no indication that due to the renewed threat of violence at the airstrip, evacuation flights will be stopped but Foreign Secretary James Cleverly yesterday urged Britons to leave while they can amid fears the situation will escalate.

The escalation of violence between the warring factions came hours after both sides accepted a 72-hour extension of the truce.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow…  

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shot at a Turkish evacuation plane as it was landing at Wadi Seyidna airport outside Khartoum on Friday, wounding a crew member and damaging the fuel supply, Sudan’s army said. PIctured: British nationals boarding an RAF aircraft in Sudan (file image)