Saudi plane hit by gunfire in Sudan unrest: airline

Saudi plane

A passenger plane preparing to take off from Sudan for Saudi Arabia came under fire on Saturday as deadly fighting rocked Khartoum, the kingdom's flag carrier said.

The Airbus A330 bound for Saudi Arabia "was exposed to gunfire damage... with guests and crew on board" ahead of its scheduled departure to Riyadh, Saudia said in a statement.

"It has been confirmed that all members of the aircraft's cabin crew have safely arrived at the Saudi Embassy in Sudan," the statement said.

"Meanwhile aircraft flying over Sudan have returned and all other flights to and from Sudan have been suspended in order to preserve the safety of the guests and crew."

Clashes broke out on Saturday between Sudan's army and paramilitaries, and the doctors' union reported three civilian deaths, including at Khartoum's airport in the city centre.

Latest: Sudan — airline jets at Khartoum Intl Airport appear to have been destroyed amid the ongoing military coup currently under way in the capital. Saudia Airbus A330 and SkyUp Boeing 737 on fire at the airport amid heavy gunfire & blasts #Sudan pic.twitter.com/VW6SflNgvR

— Alex Macheras (@AlexInAir) April 15, 2023

The Saudia statement did not mention any casualties in the incident involving its aircraft.

The paramilitaries said they were in control of the airport as well as the presidential place, claims denied by the army.

The Saudi embassy in Sudan "urges all Saudi citizens to remain at home", the state-affiliated Al-Ekhbariya channel reported.