A Kenya-registered cargo aircraft tragically crashed near Mogadishu, Somalia, claiming the lives of all five people on board.
According to preliminary reports, the aircraft was returning from Dhobley town in the Lower Juba region after delivering supplies to African Union forces when the accident occurred on Saturday, March 22, at approximately 5:43 pm local time.
The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) confirmed in a statement on Sunday that the crash took place around 24 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu.
The aircraft, a DHC-5D Buffalo with serial number 109 and registration 5Y-RBA, was operated by Trident Aviation Ltd.
“There were five persons on board (POB), all of whom have tragically lost their lives. The flight had departed from Dhobley (HCDB) and was en route to Aden Abdulle International Airport (HCMM),” the SCAA stated.
Government agencies and partners have been deployed to the crash site to conduct search and rescue operations.
Initial reports on Saturday suggested that four of the five people on board were Kenyan nationals.
Reports also indicate that the cargo plane experienced mechanical issues while in Dhobley on Saturday, though it was reportedly fixed before departure, according to the Somaliland Standard.
The Somali Civil Aviation Authority has pledged to release further details as they become available and has assured the public of a thorough investigation in collaboration with the government to determine the cause of the accident.
