Mogadishu, Somalia | The Eye Media Uganda —
A somber cloud hovers over Uganda’s military fraternity following the crash of a Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) helicopter early Thursday morning near Mogadishu International Airport, claiming five lives and leaving several others injured.
According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, the incident occurred at approximately 0730 hours when a UPDF Mi-24 combat helicopter, tail number AUO-015, went down just 200 metres east of the North Ramp at the airport.
The ill-fated aircraft was on a routine combat escort mission when it crashed, triggering an explosion from onboard munitions that caused significant damage to surrounding structures and injured three civilians.
Onboard the helicopter were eight personnel, including six crew members. Tragically, five personnel died in the crash, while the pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer survived but sustained severe burns and serious injuries.
The injured personnel, together with the wounded civilians, were rushed to AUSSOM Sector 1 Level II Hospital for emergency treatment.
A joint emergency response was immediately activated, involving firefighters from Mogadishu Airport, UN personnel, and experts from AUSSOM Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), who swiftly moved to secure the crash site and support rescue operations.
An official investigation has since been launched to establish the cause of the tragic accident, as the Defence Ministry sends condolences to the families of the fallen and prays for the quick recovery of the injured.
“Quick recovery to the injured, and may the souls of the deceased comrades rest in peace,” the statement concluded, signed by Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, Director of Defence Public Information.
This crash is a painful reminder of the sacrifices made by Uganda’s sons and daughters deployed under AMISOM and other international missions to maintain regional stability.
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