A passenger aircraft carrying 55 people overran the runway at Somalia's primary airport on Tuesday, coming to rest in the shallow waters of the Indian Ocean near the shoreline. The incident occurred during an emergency landing prompted by a technical malfunction shortly after takeoff from Mogadishu's Aden Abdulle International Airport.
Safe Evacuation Amidst Dramatic Landing
All 50 passengers and 5 crew members aboard the Starsky Aviation flight were successfully evacuated without any injuries or fatalities. Ahmed Nur, the airline's CEO, confirmed in an official statement that the aircraft overran the runway before settling on the beach adjacent to the airport. "No injuries, no deaths," Nur emphasised, highlighting the fortunate outcome of what could have been a far more serious aviation event.
Immediate Response and Investigation
Transportation Minister Mohamed Farah Nuh reported that rescue teams swiftly accounted for everyone on board, with damage confined solely to the aircraft itself. He assured that a comprehensive investigation will be conducted to determine the precise cause of the runway overshoot. The flight was originally en route to the northern city of Gaalkacyo when it encountered technical difficulties approximately 15 minutes after departure.
Ahmed Moalim, Director of Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority, provided further details to local media, explaining that during the attempted emergency landing, the plane veered off the runway and ultimately reached the shoreline. This incident underscores ongoing challenges in aviation safety within the region, though the successful evacuation demonstrates effective emergency preparedness protocols.
The combination of swift crew action and coordinated ground response ensured a positive resolution to a potentially hazardous situation, with authorities now focusing on preventative measures to avoid future occurrences.
