Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A military aircraft crashed in the Sudanese city of Omdurman, claiming the lives of at least 45 people, according to Al Arabiya.

Preliminary reports suggest that technical malfunctions were the cause of the tragedy. The aircraft went down shortly after takeoff, crashing into a residential building. Among the victims were not only military personnel and crew members on board but also civilians who were inside the collapsed structure.

Rescue operations are ongoing at the crash site. Emergency services are working to clear the debris and assist the injured.

Sources confirmed that former commander of the Khartoum military district, General Bahar Ahmed, was among those killed.

Sudanese authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the aviation disaster.