Tragedy struck on Saturday, March 22, when a Kenyan-registered cargo plane crashed in Somalia, killing all five people on board.
According to the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), the DHC-5D Buffalo, operated by Trident Aviation Ltd, crashed 24km southwest of Mogadishu while returning from Dhobley town in Lower Juba region.
The aircraft, identified by serial number 109 and registration 5Y-RBA, had just completed a supply mission for the African Union forces before the ill-fated flight to Aden Abdulle International Airport (HCMM).
“There were five persons on board, all of whom tragically lost their lives,” the SCAA confirmed in a statement on Sunday.
While the nationalities of the deceased remain unconfirmed, early reports suggest at least four Kenyans were on board. A source in Mogadishu indicated the plane had been delivering supplies to Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) in Dhobley before the accident.
Reports also suggest that the aircraft had experienced mechanical issues while in Dhobley but was cleared for takeoff before the crash.
Somali authorities, alongside government agencies and partners, have already launched search and rescue efforts at the crash site.
The SCAA has pledged a full investigation into the cause of the accident, promising to provide further updates as more details emerge.
This accident adds to a growing list of aviation tragedies involving cargo planes operating in Somalia’s conflict-prone regions.
