A helicopter belonging to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) crashed on Wednesday morning while attempting to land at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somali state media reported.
According to the Somali National News Agency (SONNA), the helicopter had taken off from Balidoogle airbase before encountering trouble during its approach to the capital’s main airport. All eight people on board survived the crash.
In a post shared by Hobnob News on social media platform X, the agency stated: “The AUSSOM helicopter, carrying eight people, crashed during landing at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde Airport this morning after departing Balidoogle.” The statement added that “the fire has been contained, and authorities are assessing the situation.”
Somalia’s civil aviation authorities confirmed that flight operations at the airport continue uninterrupted, despite the incident.
Although the exact cause of the crash has not yet been disclosed, unverified footage circulating online shows thick black smoke rising from the vicinity of the airport shortly after the crash.
The AUSSOM mission, which replaced the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), plays a critical role in supporting Somali security forces in their fight against the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabaab.
An investigation into the incident is expected to be launched by both AU and Somali authorities.
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