Mogadishu, Somalia: Tragedy struck on the morning of Wednesday, July 02, after a Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Mi-24 helicopter crashed near Mogadishu International Airport, killing five soldiers and injuring six others, including civilians.
The chopper, tail number AUO-015, went down at approximately 7:30 am, just 200 metres east of the airport’s North Ramp. According to Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, the Director of Defence Public Information, the aircraft was on a routine combat escort mission when it suddenly crashed and exploded due to onboard munitions.
Among the eight military personnel on board, five were killed instantly. The pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer survived but sustained severe burns and life-threatening injuries. They were rushed to the AUSSOM Sector 1 Level II Hospital for emergency treatment.
The blast, according to UPDF, damaged several nearby structures and injured three civilians, who were also evacuated to the hospital.
A combined emergency team, including United Nations and airport firefighters, African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units, and UPDF security, was quickly deployed to secure the area and support rescue operations.
The identities of the deceased are being withheld pending official notification of their families.
Maj Gen Kulayigye extended condolences to the bereaved relatives and wished the injured a swift recovery.
“May the souls of our fallen comrades rest in peace,” he said, adding that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash.
The UPDF has been operating under the African Union mission in Somalia for nearly two decades, providing combat and logistical support against Al-Shabaab insurgents.
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