A passenger plane crash-landed in shallow water off the coast of Mogadishu on Tuesday after experiencing a technical issue shortly after takeoff. All 55 people on board survived, thanks to the pilot's swift actions.
The Fokker 50, operated by Starsky Aviation, was bound for the northern city of Gaalkacyo. According to Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the crew reported a problem 15 minutes after departing from Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport and requested an immediate return.
CAA director Ahmed Macalin Hassan said the pilot attempted to land but overshot the runway, coming to a stop in shallow water near the shore. Social media images showed passengers walking away from the wreckage.
Starsky Aviation chief executive Ahmed Nur confirmed the runway overrun, while spokesperson Hassan Mohamed Aden commended the pilot’s “swift and calm decision-making,” stating that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the technical fault.
The African Union mission in Somalia reported that emergency responders, including troops from UNSOS and AUSSOM, were quickly deployed to assist with rescue efforts. All occupants were taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.
