Senior aid worker issues warning over armed seizure of Khartoum lab containing deadly diseases

• Sudan crisis – latest updates

Airstrikes and reports of renewed fighting have threatened a delicate three-day truce in Sudan, while a senior aid worker warned of a potential “huge biological hazard” resulting from the armed seizure of a Khartoum laboratory containing deadly diseases.

A 72-hour ceasefire came into effect across the country at midnight on Monday night and was largely holding. It is intended to give Sudanese people respite from days of bloodshed and allow the wounded to reach already limited medical care. World powers hope it will also provide time for a massive international rescue mission to fly out evacuees.

This blog is now closed. You can find the latest news from Sudan at the links below:

• Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces agree ceasefire, says Blinken
• RAF plane lands in Sudan as UK assesses options for further evacuations
• Sudan: thousands flee Khartoum as civilian casualties escalate
• ‘Very difficult evacuation’: how UK diplomats were rescued

Here’s a short round up of the response by African countries.

Kenya has said it will not be withdrawing its diplomats from Sudan as it wants them to help negotiate a “peaceful solution” to the conflict.

Lack of supplies and rising prices add to perilous journey by road to Egyptian border and Port Sudan

Thousands more residents of Khartoum fled the Sudanese capital on Monday, risking long, dangerous journeys to escape continued street battles and murderous airstrikes that continue to cause significant civilian casualties.

Some headed north by road to the Egyptian border in packed buses, many with towering piles of luggage strapped to them. Others drove north-east to Port Sudan. Both journeys involved up to 24 hours of driving, with increasing reports of robbery of vehicles.