MOGADISHU, Somalia — A Kenyan cargo aircraft operated by Trident Aviation Ltd. crashed on Saturday evening near Somalia’s capital, killing all five individuals on board, Somali authorities confirmed.
The DHC-5D Buffalo aircraft went down at approximately 5:43 p.m. local time, around 15 miles southwest of Mogadishu. The plane had been en route to Aden Abdulle International Airport after completing a humanitarian supply delivery to African Union forces stationed in Dhobley, a town located about 323 miles southwest of Mogadishu, near the Kenya-Somalia border.
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Somali civil aviation officials said the plane had taken off earlier in the day from Nairobi, Kenya, and was operating as part of a logistical support mission. It had successfully delivered cargo before embarking on its return leg when it encountered unspecified difficulties leading to the crash.
Rescue teams and Somali government officials quickly responded to the crash site, where recovery operations remain ongoing. Authorities have not yet released the identities or nationalities of the five victims.
The cause of the crash has not been determined. Somali aviation investigators, in coordination with Kenyan authorities and international aviation experts, are expected to begin a full investigation to determine the sequence of events leading to the incident.
Eyewitnesses in the surrounding area reported seeing smoke and debris shortly after the aircraft disappeared from radar. The site of the crash lies in a region that has previously experienced security challenges, though there is no immediate indication of foul play.
This incident highlights the risks involved in air operations across the Horn of Africa, where aircraft often fly long distances over remote areas to support military and humanitarian efforts. The crash marks one of the deadliest aviation incidents in Somalia in recent months.
Key Points: Kenyan Cargo Plane Crash in Somalia
A Kenyan DHC-5D Buffalo cargo aircraft crashed on Saturday evening near Mogadishu, Somalia.
- All five people on board were killed in the crash. The plane went down around 5:43 p.m. local time, approximately 15 miles southwest of Mogadishu.
- It was returning to Aden Abdulle International Airport after delivering supplies to African Union forces in Dhobley.
- The aircraft was operated by Trident Aviation Ltd.
- Somali authorities and rescue teams responded immediately to the crash site.
- An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.
- The identities and nationalities of the victims have not yet been released.
- The incident underscores the risks faced by cargo operations in conflict-affected regions of East Africa.
