Somalia: A military helicopter carrying 8 crashes in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A helicopter attached to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) has crashed at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, state media reports, at a time when the country is fresh from independence celebrations.

According to the state media, the helicopter was carrying 8 personnel from the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia after departing from the Balidogle airbase, which hosts the US Africa Command.

According to reports, the fire was contained at the airport after the aircraft caught fire, but the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) says normal operations at the airport have not been interrupted after the incident.

"An AUSSOM helicopter carrying 8 personnel crashed during landing at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde Airport this morning after departing Balidoogle," the state media said. "The fire has been contained, and authorities are assessing the situation. Civil Aviation says flight operations remain normal."

AUSSOM statement: On Wednesday at around 7.30 a.m., an African Union helicopter operated by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) contingent crash-landed just before touching down at the Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu, while en route from the Baledogle military airbase.

Three of the eight passengers on board were immediately rescued and rushed to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) Level II hospital in Mogadishu for medical attention.

Search and rescue operations are currently underway to retrieve the remaining crew and passengers.

Meanwhile, aviation authorities have commenced investigations to establish the cause of the accident.

GAROWE ONLINE