A Ugandan military helicopter crashed and caught fire at Mogadishu’s main international airport, resulting in the deaths of five personnel. The pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer survived but sustained significant injuries and severe burns, according to Maj Gen Felix Kulaigye of the Ugandan military. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
Eyewitness Farah Abdulle, an airport staff member, reported hearing a blast followed by smoke and flames engulfing the helicopter. Emergency response teams acted quickly, and Somalia’s state news agency confirmed that the fire was promptly contained at Aden Adde International Airport.
Ugandan troops are part of an 11,000-member African Union force supporting the Somali government in its ongoing fight against al-Shabaab. The helicopter was on a routine combat escort mission at the time of the crash, per Maj Gen Kulaigye.
Ahmed Maalim, head of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, stated that the helicopter came down in the military section of the airport after arriving from Balidogle airbase, located approximately 90km northwest of Mogadishu.
The incident caused a delay for a Turkish Airlines passenger flight, though domestic flights continued operations without interruption.