Five peacekeepers killed in Somalia helicopter crash – AU confirms

The African Union Commission (AUC) has confirmed the deaths of five peacekeepers following a tragic helicopter crash in Mogadishu, Somalia.

In a statement, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, expressed deep sorrow over the incident.

The Chairperson wished a speedy recovery to all those who sustained injuries, including civilians affected by the crash.

“He wishes a swift and full recovery to all those injured, including civilians,” the Spokesperson said.

The helicopter was operated by the Ugandan contingent under the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

Youssouf extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, as well as to the Government and people of Uganda.

He also sympathised with the broader AUSSOM community, which continues to play a key role in efforts to restore peace and stability in Somalia.

He emphasised the African Union’s unwavering commitment to building peace in Somalia, noting that the sacrifice of the fallen peacekeepers would not be in vain.

The helicopter with eight people on board crashed at the main international airport in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.

The state-run news agency reported that a fire broke out after the helicopter crashed at Aden Adde International Airport, but it was quickly contained by emergency services.

Video footage showed plumes of smoke rising from the airport.

"We heard the blast and saw smoke and flames over a helicopter. The smoke entirely covered the helicopter," Farah Abdulle, one of the airport staff, told Reuters news agency.

The cause of the crash remains unclear.

The head of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, Ahmed Maalim, told the BBC that the helicopter had come down in the airport's military section after flying in from the Balidogle airbase in the Lower Shabelle region.

He said that an investigation was underway to establish the cause of the crash.

Ugandan troops are part of an African Union (AU) force helping the government fight the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group, which has been waging a brutal insurgency in Somalia.