5 Dead after African Union Chopper on Peacekeeping Mission Crashes in Somalia
- At least five Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers died in a chopper crash on Wednesday morning, July 2
- A Mil Mi-24 carrying eight Ugandan military personnel part of the AUSSOM mission crashed near an airport in Mogadishu
- Investigations by the UN and AUSSOM teams have since been launched to determine the cause of the tragic crash
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Mogadishu - At least five military officers attached to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) are dead after a chopper crash in Somalia.
Source: UGC
The chopper on a trail mission was being operated by soldiers from the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) when it crashed on Wednesday morning, July 2, near Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu.
How many soldiers were ill-fated UPDF chopper carrying?
On board were at least eight military personnel, the UPDF said in an official statement seen by TUKO.co.ke.
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"A Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) Mi-24 helicopter, aircraft tail number AUO-015, crashed approximately 200 metres East of the North Ramp at Mogadishu International Airport. The helicopter was conducting a routine combat mission when the incident occurred. On board the aircraft were eight personnel, including six crew members," the Ugandan army stated.
Exacerbating the accident was the impact of the commotion midair, which triggered the detonation of onboard munitions, "causing significant damage to nearby structures and injuring three civilians", according to the UPDF.
"The pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer survived the crash but sustained serious injuries and severe burns. They were evacuated, along with the three injured civilians, to the AUSSOM Sector 1 Level II Hospital for treatment. Five personnel on board died in this helicopter crash," the UPDF added.
The UPDF further revealed that "a joint emergency response team, comprising firefighters from Mogadishu International Airport and the United Nations, along with AUSSOM Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel, was deployed to manage the scene and support rescue operations."
"An official investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. Quick recovery to the Injured and May the souls of the deceased comrades Rest in Peace," UPDF said.
In other news, a report by a probe team recently revealed what caused the chopper crash that killed Kenya's former Chief of Defence Forces, General Francis Ogolla.
Source: UGC
How chopper crash happened to kill Kenya's military boss
Ogolla died alongside nine other Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel in April 2024 after the aircraft they were travelling in fell in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
They all died on the spot.
The Ministry of Defence immediately set up a probe team to investigate the tragic crash.
In its findings, after many months, the team established that the Bell Huey helicopter (reg KAF 1501) developed engine problems before falling from the skies.
According to the board of inquiry, the aircraft could not sustain itself in the air due to the foregoing challenges, which the crew on board failed to handle.
Ogolla, who was an accomplished pilot in the Kenya Air Force, was the first army boss to die while in office.
He was succeeded by General Charles Kahariri from the Kenya Navy.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
