A Ugandan military helicopter has crashed and erupted into flames at Mogadishu's Aden Adde International Airport, leading to the deaths of five personnel on board. While the pilot and co-pilot survived, they are facing serious injuries and severe burns, according to military spokesperson Maj Gen Felix Kulaigye. Witnesses reported seeing the smoke and flames billowing from the helicopter after a loud blast occurred.
Emergency services promptly contained the fire to prevent further disaster. The helicopter was reportedly engaged in a "routine combat escort mission" when it went down in the military section of the airport, having flown in from Balidogle airbase, situated approximately 90 kilometers north-west of the capital. Despite the crash delaying a Turkish Airlines flight, other domestic flights continued unaffected.
Uganda's forces are part of an African Union mission combatting the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabab group, which has been implementing a violent insurgency in Somalia for over 20 years. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and officials are gathering more details.
