LOC18:23
15:23 GMT
KHARTOUM, Aug 19 (KUNA) -- The death toll of a plane which crashed earlier
on Sunday in South Kordofan state jumped to 32, including two ministers, the
presidential office revealed.
Khartoum's state minister for youth and sports and the state minister for
tourism were among those killed in the incident, along with the education
minister for the capital state of Khartoum, the office was quoted as saying by
Sudan's news agency, SUNA.
Another ten, including three generals, belonged to the country's security
forces, it is understood.
Also killed was the chief of the Justice political party, four media
personnel, the head of Khartoum North municipality, a member of parliament,
and other officials.
The group of officials were heading to Talodi town to attend Eid Al-Fitr
celebrations scheduled to be held there.
It is not the first time that Sudanese officials die in similar
circumstances as former vice president Maj. Gen. Zubair Mohamed Salih died in
a plane crash in 1998.
Also in 2008, at least 30 people died when a Sudan Airways jet burst into
flames on landing in Khartoum. (pickup previous)
hha.tg.sd
KUNA 191823 Aug 12NNNN