Plane Crash in Somalia: What Happened, and How Did It Affect Those Onboard?

A passenger plane carrying 55 people crash-landed beside Mogadishu's main airport after a reported technical fault, yet all on board survived without serious injury, thanks in part to the pilot's quick thinking. But what exactlly happened, and how did they manage to survive the crash?

On Tuesday morning, 10 February shortly after the aircraft took off from Mogadishu, the aircraft made it's dangerous descent. The plane, a Fokker 50 operated by Starsky Aviation, experienced a technical problem soon after departure. According to Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority, the crew requested permission to return to the airport.

The aircraft attempted to land back at Mogadishu's international airport and touched down on the runway but failed to stop in time. Instead, the plane overshot the tarmac and came to rest in shallow water along the shoreline near the Indian Ocean.

Ahmed Macalin Hassan, director of the Civil Aviation Authority, confirmed the sequence of events. He said the plane was unable to halt after landing. As of the time of writing, the exact nature of the technical issue has not yet been made public.

All 55 On Board Survive

There were 50 passengers and five crew members on board at the time of the emergency landing. All 55 people survived the incident, and quite fortunately, no serious injuries have been reported.

Footage shared on X showed passengers leaving the aircraft after it came to a stop, where they were seen walking away from the wreckage along the shore.

Starsky Aviation confirmed the outcome in a statement, saying, 'We are relieved to confirm that all passengers and crew are safe. Investigations are under way to establish what caused the technical issue that led to the emergency landing.'

Response and Rescue Efforts

Emergency assistance was mobilised quickly after the aircraft came to rest. The African Union's mission in Somalia stated that UN and AU troops were 'swiftly deployed' to support rescue efforts. Somalia's transport minister was also present at the scene, according to a post on X.

Despite the aircraft's final position in shallow water, there were luckily no reports of fatalities or serious injuries. The swift response helped ensure that passengers and crew were accounted for safely.

Starsky Aviation publicly commended the pilot's actions and swift thinking. The airline said, 'The pilot's swift and calm decision-making played a decisive role in ensuring the safety of everyone on board, and we commend him for how he handled the situation.'

Investigation Under Way

As of now, an investigation has begun to determine what caused the reported technical fault. Authorities have not yet provided details about the mechanical issue.

The aircraft involved was identified as a Fokker 50 which departed from Mogadishu on the morning of 10 February before encountering difficulties. The crew's decision to return to the airport was made shortly after take-off.

There have been a number of aircraft accidents and incidents in Somalia over the years, ranging from emergency landings to fatal crashes. This particular flight was originally headed toward Puntland and had to request an immediate return because of the aforementioned unforeseen issues.