A deadly AU helicopter crash in Mogadishu on Wednesday morning claimed at least three lives and left others missing. The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. at Aden Abdulle International Airport. The aircraft had arrived from Baledogle Airfield in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region with eight people on board.
The helicopter originally belonged to the Ugandan Air Force. However, it was being operated by the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia. According to airport immigration head Artan Mohamed, the aircraft caught fire after impact.
Three people died instantly. Another three survived with burns and were rushed to hospital for treatment.
Felix Kulaigye, spokesperson for the Ugandan military, said five passengers remain missing. The African Union confirmed ongoing rescue operations to find the remaining crew members.
Munitions aboard the helicopter exploded upon impact, injuring three nearby civilians. Aviation officer Omar Farah, who arrived at the scene early, saw the helicopter spinning in the air before a sharp drop.
“There was a huge explosion and smoke everywhere,” said Abdirahim Ali, a resident who witnessed the crash.
The airport experienced brief delays, but normal operations resumed shortly after emergency crews cleared the area.
The aircraft was part of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The force includes over 11,000 troops from countries such as Uganda and Kenya.
AUSSOM supports Somali authorities in their long-running fight against al-Shabab. The extremist group, which has links to al-Qaeda, has waged an insurgency in Somalia since the mid-2000s.
Authorities have not yet released the cause of the crash. However, investigations are underway as efforts to recover the missing personnel continue.
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