A fuel spill involving more than 10 tonnes was contained at Port Sudan International Airport on Sunday after a pump on an aircraft refuelling vehicle broke, causing fuel to pour onto the airport apron.
According to a source familiar with the incident, airport operations officials activated emergency procedures immediately after the spill was detected, coordinating with civil defence teams, airport officers and ground personnel to secure the area and prevent the fuel from spreading.
Airport fire crews were placed on maximum alert and deployed firefighting vehicles as teams worked to isolate potential ignition sources and contain the spill.
Airport officers Hassan Nour al-Daem and Mohamed Ibrahim supervised efforts to clear and secure the affected area. Equipment and aircraft positioned nearby were moved to safer locations, while passengers were disembarked in accordance with safety procedures.
Specialist teams then began cleaning the apron and treating areas contaminated by the spilled fuel, while the site remained under monitoring to ensure the danger had been eliminated before normal operations resumed.
Port Sudan International Airport safety director Muawiya Abdullah also oversaw the response and coordinated the different teams involved in the operation.
The source said the incident was handled under airport emergency and aviation safety procedures, including measures consistent with International Civil Aviation Organization guidelines on emergency response and safety-risk management.
Authorities said the spill was brought fully under control and precautionary measures completed in less than 30 minutes.
No injuries were reported, and officials said the incident did not disrupt the overall continuity of air traffic at Port Sudan airport.
The incident nevertheless highlighted the potential danger posed by large fuel spills on airport aprons, where the presence of aircraft, vehicles and ignition sources can rapidly turn a leak into a major fire emergency.
