AU helicopter crashes in Somali airport killing all 8 passengers onboard

At least eight passengers onboard a helicopter belonging to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) have died after the helicopter crashed at the Mogadishu international airport in Somalia on Wednesday, July 2.

A male civil aviation official in Mogadishu, who chose to remain anonymous stated that the helicopter was carrying eight peacekeeping personnel.

He noted that the crash occurred during its landing at Aden Adde international airport, Somalia after taking off from Balidoogle airfield, a base used by both United States (US) and Somali special forces.

The official confirmed there were casualties but did not disclose the number of those injured or killed.

He added that emergency responders and firefighters quickly arrived at the scene and managed to put out the fire.

Also a female resident of the Mogadishu’s Wabari district, stated that she saw thick smoke rising from the direction of the airport on Wednesday, July 2.

The incident caused several flight delays, but airport operations have since returned to normal.