03/07/2025
Ugandan Military Helicopter Crashes at Mogadishu Airport, Killing Five
A Ugandan military helicopter crashed and burst into flames at Somalia's main international airport in Mogadishu, resulting in the deaths of five personnel on board.
According to Ugandan military spokesperson Major General Felix Kulaigye, the pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer survived the crash but sustained serious injuries and severe burns. An investigation into the cause of the accident is currently underway.
“We heard a loud explosion and then saw thick smoke and flames engulfing the helicopter,” said Farah Abdulle, an airport staff member who spoke to Reuters.
The incident occurred at Aden Adde International Airport, where emergency services quickly contained the fire, according to Somalia’s state-run news agency.
The helicopter was on a routine combat es**rt mission, Maj Gen Kulaigye confirmed, though he did not provide additional details.
Ahmed Maalim, head of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, told the BBC that the aircraft had flown from Balidogle airbase in the Lower Shabelle region, about 90km northwest of Mogadishu, before crashing in the military section of the airport.
While the crash temporarily delayed the departure of a Turkish Airlines flight, domestic operations continued without disruption.
Ugandan forces are part of a 11,000-strong African Union mission supporting the Somali government in its ongoing battle against al-Shabab, a militant group linked to al-Qaeda that has been fighting to overthrow the government for more than 20 years.
_BBC_
