An airline in Somalia has praised one of its pilots after he crash-landed his passenger plane, which had suffered a technical fault, on the shoreline next to the capital's international airport, with all 55 on board surviving.
Starsky Aviation said the pilot's quick thinking was crucial in saving the 50 passengers and five crew. The aircraft, a Fokker 50, reported a problem shortly after takeoff from Mogadishu on Tuesday, prompting the crew to request a return, according to Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The plane touched down but failed to stop on the runway, overshooting the tarmac before coming to rest in shallow water, said CAA director Ahmed Macalin Hassan.
The exact nature of the issue is yet to be determined. Footage shared on social media appeared to show passengers safely exiting the aircraft and walking away from the wreckage on the shore of the Indian Ocean, with no serious injuries reported.
The African Union's mission in Somalia indicated that UN and AU troops were swiftly deployed to assist with rescue efforts, and the transport minister of Somalia was present at the scene.
We are relieved to confirm that all passengers and crew are safe. Investigations are underway to establish what caused the technical issue that led to the emergency landing.
Starsky spokesperson Hassan Mohamed Aden commended the pilot's calm decision-making as pivotal in ensuring the safety of everyone on board.
