5 November 2024

Fire Breaks Out in Souq Omdurman

On the early morning of 1 December 2018, news broke out on social media about a huge fire at the ancient Souq Omdurman, leaving many shop owners and traders in distress about their shops and financial assets.

An official report on any casualties or injuries has not been released yet. However, it’s been reported that at least 300 shops have gone down in flames. According to Sudania 24 TV (S24), the fire caused losses that amount to 850 million Sudanese Pounds (USD1.7 million). The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

It is reported that the fire broke out at around 2 am on Saturday 1 December and continued until 11 am. Some people such as the leader of the Social Congress Party, Omer Eldigair, have gone on social media to criticise the Civil Defence for their lack of action and slow response time.

Many shop owners and traders have lost not only their shops but their savings as well, which they’ve stored in their shops instead of banks. According to Lieutenant General Ahmed Ali Abu Shanab, police officials visited the souq just a few days before the fire to warn shop owners and traders to put their money in local banks incase of a catastrophe such as a fire occurs at the souq. The warning has left many suspicious of the cause of the fire.

Souq Omdurman is the largest and oldest market in Sudan. The ancient souq in Omdurman, features hundreds of shops selling a variety of clothing and body accessories, handicrafts, artefacts, souvenirs and other Sudanese folk and traditional items or products. Usually open from 8 am to 8 pm, the souq is a popular shopping destination for locals, expatriates and tourists. Considered to be one of the landmarks of Sudan, the souq is a popular tourist destination with some of the best traditional souvenirs. 

To find out more about the fire, follow the hashtag  on Twitter.

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