A cargo plane crashed southwest of Mogadishu, killing all five people on board, the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has confirmed.
The aircraft, identified as a DHC-5D Buffalo with registration 5Y-RBA, went down about 24 kilometers from the capital on Saturday evening.
The SCAA stated that the incident occurred at approximately 5:43 pm local time.
The plane had taken off from Dhobley and was en route to Aden Abdulle International Airport when it crashed. Operated by Trident Aviation Ltd, the aircraft was carrying cargo at the time of the accident.
Authorities and emergency response teams arrived at the crash site to conduct search and rescue efforts. However, all five people on board were confirmed dead.
“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected,” the aviation authority said in a statement.
Officials have not yet disclosed the cause of the crash but assured that further updates will be provided as investigations continue.
The DHC-5 Buffalo is commonly used for transport and humanitarian missions, especially in remote and difficult-to-access regions. Its ability to take off and land on short runways makes it suitable for operations in Somalia’s challenging terrain.
Aden Abdulle International Airport, the country’s busiest air hub, plays a crucial role in humanitarian and diplomatic missions in the Horn of Africa.
Dhobley Airport, near the Kenyan border, is frequently used for flights supporting international relief efforts.