Mogadishu, SONNA – The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) has officially confirmed that three individuals survived the military helicopter crash that occurred on Wednesday morning at Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu. The survivors were immediately transferred to the AUSSOM Level II hospital for medical treatment.
The helicopter, operated by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) under AUSSOM, had taken off from the Balidoogle military airbase—approximately 100 kilometers west of Mogadishu—with eight personnel on board. The aircraft crash-landed just before touchdown at around 7:30 a.m.
According to the AUSSOM press release, search and recovery operations are ongoing to locate and assist the five remaining individuals who were on board at the time of the crash. Emergency teams, including military and medical units, continue to work at the site under coordinated command.
The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has also confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the incident. The crash site has been secured, and aviation experts are currently gathering evidence to support the inquiry.
Airport operations at Aden Abdulle International Airport remain stable and uninterrupted, with authorities emphasizing that safety protocols were promptly enacted.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses and recovery efforts continue.
