The Sudanese government's religion minister has been killed in a plane crash, Sudanese television says.
The civilian aircraft, carrying some 30 people including a delegation of military and political representatives, came down in the Nuba Mountains.
All are believed to have perished in the crash.
The plane was on its way to South Kordofan for an Eid al-Fitr celebration, to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Sudan's Minister of Guidance and Religious Endowments, Ghazi al-Sadiq Abdel Rahim, was among those killed.
The dead also include Justice Party Chairman Makki Ali Balayil, a South Kordofan state spokesman said.
The aircraft came down in the Talodi area of South Kordofan, en route from the capital Khartoum.
The television statement said weather prevented the plane from landing first time round. On its second attempt, the plane hit a mountain.
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