An airline in Somalia has praised its pilot for crash-landing a passenger plane, which suffered technical faults, onto the shoreline next to Mogadishu's international airport, with all 55 individuals on board surviving.
Starsky Aviation commended the pilot's quick thinking, which was deemed crucial in saving the lives of the 50 passengers and five crew members.
The aircraft, a Fokker 50, reported a problem shortly after takeoff from Mogadishu, prompting the crew to request a return flight. According to Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the plane eventually touched down but overshot the runway, coming to rest in shallow water.
Details about the specific technical issues remain uncertain. However, recordings shared on social media showed passengers safely leaving the aircraft and walking away from the wreckage along the Indian Ocean shoreline without any serious injuries reported.
UN and African Union troops quickly deployed to support rescue operations, with Somalia's transport minister also present at the scene. Starsky Aviation spokesperson Hassan Mohamed Aden confirmed that investigations are underway to understand the cause of the technical failure, while praising the pilot's decisive actions that ensured everyone’s safety.
