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2018 Algerian Air Force Ilyushin Il-76 crash

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Algerian Air Force
IndustryMilitary aviation
Headquarters
Algiers
,
Algeria
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Template:Infobox aircraft occurrence

On 11 April 2018, an Ilyushin Il-76 military transport plane operated by the Algerian Air Force crashed shortly after departing from Boufarik Airport near Boufarik, Algeria—located close to Blida and southwest of the capital city, Algiers. The incident resulted in the loss of all 257 individuals on board, marking it as the most fatal aviation accident on Algerian territory. Additionally, this event stands as the deadliest air disaster recorded in Africa.

Aircraft

The aircraft involved was an Ilyushin Il-76 model Il-76TD assigned to the Algerian Air Force's 347th Strategic Transport Squadron (French: 347e Escadron de Transport Stratégique), manufactured by the Tashkent Aviation Production Association. Registered under tail number 7T-WIV with serial number 1043419649, this particular airframe first took flight in 1994.

Crash

Template:OSM Location map At 07:50 local time (06:50 UTC), the plane crashed just beyond the boundaries of Boufarik Airport, located in Boufarik, shortly after departure.[1] Witness accounts indicated that one of the wings had caught fire before the aircraft went down.[2] The intended route included a stopover at Boudghene Ben Ali Lotfi Airport, Béchar, before reaching its final destination at Tindouf Airport, Tindouf.[3][4] All ten crew members and 247 passengers perished instantly.[5][6] Among those on board were 176 personnel from the Algerian People's National Army, many traveling alongside family members.[3][7]

Officials from the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic reported that thirty civilians, including Saharawi students from the refugee camps in Tindouf, were among those killed. These individuals had been visiting Algiers for medical treatment and administrative matters. The Saharawi population residing in the camps frequently receives complimentary transportation on Algerian military flights.[4] Earlier statements suggested that a prominent figure from the ruling National Liberation Front had confirmed that 26 members of the Polisario Front were among the victims.[8][3] According to EFE, the number of Saharawi civilian fatalities was limited to thirty.[9]

Emergency responders deployed fourteen ambulances, ten firefighting vehicles, and a total of one hundred thirty personnel to manage the incident site. Due to the accident, authorities temporarily shut down the roadway connecting Boufarik and Blida to all traffic.[10]

Aftermath

In the wake of the tragedy, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the President of Algeria, announced a three-day period of national mourning, reflecting his response similar to the 2014 military aviation disaster.[2][11][12] Meanwhile, Brahim Ghali, President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, proclaimed a week-long national mourning.[4][9] An inquiry was launched by Ahmed Gaid Salah, Chief of Staff of the Algerian Army, to establish the accident’s cause.[10] The Russian government announced its commitment to support the ongoing investigation.[13]

See also

References

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  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ASN110418
  6. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  8. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  11. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  12. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Kommersant

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