An AU military helicopter carrying eight personnel crashed while landing at Mogadishu airport.
An African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) military helicopter carrying eight personnel crashed on Tuesday while attempting to land at Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu.
According to state media, the helicopter burst into flames on impact but the fire was swiftly brought under control by emergency responders. It remains unclear whether there were casualties or injuries as official statements have not yet been released.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by thick black smoke rising from the site. “We heard the blast and saw smoke and flames over a helicopter,” said Farah Abdulle, an airport worker. “The smoke entirely covered the helicopter.”
The aircraft reportedly took off from Balidoogle airfield in the Lower Shabelle region. AUSSOM, which provides military support to Somali forces in their fight against al-Shabaab militants, has not commented on the incident.
Airport operations were temporarily disrupted but later resumed.