- Five fatalities reported in Ugandan military helicopter crash at Mogadishu airport
- The crash occurred during a routine combat escort mission, per Ugandan military
- The aircraft flew in from Balidogle airbase, 90 km from Mogadishu
A Ugandan military helicopter crashed and burst into flames at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport, killing five personnel on board. The pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer survived but sustained serious injuries and severe burns, according to Ugandan military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Felix Kulaigye.
An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
Eyewitness Farah Abdulle, an airport staff member, described hearing a loud explosion followed by thick smoke engulfing the aircraft.
Somalia’s state-run news agency reported that emergency services quickly brought the fire under control.
The helicopter was reportedly on a routine combat escort mission. Ugandan forces are part of the 11,000-strong African Union (AU) mission supporting Somalia’s government in its ongoing battle against the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militant group.
Ahmed Maalim, head of Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority, told the BBC that the helicopter had arrived from Balidogle airbase in the Lower Shabelle region, roughly 90 km (56 miles) from Mogadishu, and crashed in the airport’s military section.
The incident caused delays to a Turkish Airlines international flight, though domestic operations at the airport remained unaffected.
