Cargo plane crashes near Khartoum

A cargo plane crashed near the airport in Sudan's capital Khartoum on Monday, witnesses said.

It was not immediately known how many people were on board the aircraft and whether they had survived or been killed.

"The plane crashed in an empty area about one or two kilometres from the airport," said one witness, asking not to be named.

"Parts of the plane are lying everywhere. There are huge patches of dark engine oil."

Another witness said a large explosion was heard when the plane crashed and that flames had billowed from the area.

Aviation officials could not be reached immediately for comment.