MOGADISHU, Somalia — A passenger aircraft crashed along the shoreline of the Indian Ocean shortly after taking off from Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on Tuesday, Somali aviation authorities have confirmed.
The flight, operated by Star Sky Airlines, was carrying 55 passengers and was en route to Guri’eel in the Galgaduud region of Galmudug state. Preliminary information indicates that the aircraft developed a mechanical fault minutes after departure, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing near the airport perimeter.
During the manoeuvre, the aircraft sustained damage to its wings, while an engine malfunction reportedly reduced the pilot’s ability to maintain control. The plane subsequently veered off course and came to rest along the shoreline adjacent to the airport.
The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) confirmed the incident, saying emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the scene to assist passengers and assess the damage.
SCAA Director Ahmed Moallim Hassan said the aircraft encountered technical difficulties shortly after take-off, prompting the pilot to return to the airport. However, the plane could not be fully controlled and overshot the runway during the attempted landing.
Authorities confirmed that all passengers and crew were safely evacuated, and no fatalities were reported.
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Medical personnel were placed on standby as a precaution, though officials have not indicated that any passengers sustained serious injuries.
Aviation investigators have launched an inquiry to determine the exact cause of the mechanical failure, as concerns continue to grow over aircraft safety and infrastructure challenges at Somalia’s busiest airport.
Aden Adde International Airport has experienced a sharp rise in domestic air traffic in recent years, driven by improved security and increased connectivity between Mogadishu and regional states.
However, aviation experts have repeatedly warned that aging aircraft fleets and limited maintenance capacity remain significant risks within the sector.
