A passenger plane carrying 55 people crash-landed in shallow water off the coast of Mogadishu on Tuesday after the pilot reported a technical problem shortly after takeoff. The Fokker 50 aircraft, operated by Starsky Aviation, was en route to the northern city of Gaalkacyo when the incident occurred.
According to Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority, the crew reported a problem 15 minutes after departing from Aden Adde International Airport and requested to return. The pilot attempted to land but failed to stop on the runway, overshooting the tarmac before coming to rest in the shallows near the shoreline.
Emergency responders, including troops from the African Union mission in Somalia, were swiftly deployed to assist with rescue efforts. Social media images showed passengers walking away from the wreckage, and authorities confirmed that all occupants survived and were taken to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation.
Starsky Aviation chief executive Ahmed Nur said the aircraft overran the runway before the pilot executed the emergency landing. Spokesperson Hassan Mohamed Aden praised the pilot's swift and calm decision-making, stating it played a decisive role in ensuring everyone's safety. An investigation into the technical issue is underway.
