Authorities Seal Off East Khartoum Following Explosion of War Remnant Projectile

Authorities temporarily sealed off an area of Eastern Khartoum on Saturday and deployed specialized technical teams to search for unexploded ordnance, after a projectile left over from the war detonated, causing widespread alarm among residents.

The explosion occurred late Friday in Imtidad Nasir neighbourhood after residents burned waste at the site, triggering a blast whose sound was heard across distant neighborhoods.

Director of Mine Action Center, Major General Khalid Hamdan, told Sudan Tribune that the area of the explosion has been cordoned off for several days, with specialized teams from the center conducting sweeping operations to ensure the site is clear of any war remnants.

He explained that preliminary field investigations indicate the explosion was likely caused by an old rocket or artillery shell of 130mm or 155mm caliber, which accounted for the powerful blast and left a deep crater at the site. He further confirmed that no casualties or property damage were reported.

Governor of Khartoum State Ahmed Othman Hamza rushed to the scene immediately following the incident, where he reviewed the precautionary measures taken to prevent any potential risks. He stated that the explosion resulted from a fire that ignited at the site, detonating a buried projectile.
The governor urged residents to refrain from burning waste within residential areas, particularly in locations previously occupied by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, warning that such areas may contain unexploded ordnance.

Since the outbreak of war in April 2023, neighborhoods in East Khartoum have witnessed ground battles and aerial bombardment, including drone strikes, before the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) regained control of the state in March 2025 following intense fighting.

This development facilitated the gradual return of residents to their homes, alongside ongoing efforts by authorities to restore essential services, including water, electricity, education, and healthcare, despite the continuation of conflict in other regions.

Major General Khalid Hamdan noted that the projectile had been buried underground and had not previously detonated, but exposure to the heat generated by the fire ignited by a resident led to the explosion.