By SUNTV Global Channel
A passenger aircraft carrying 55 people narrowly avoided tragedy on Tuesday after it overshot the runway and plunged into shallow seawater during an emergency landing at Somalia’s main airport.
The incident occurred at Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu after the plane reportedly developed a technical fault shortly after takeoff. The aircraft, operated by Starsky Aviation, had 50 passengers and five crew members on board and was heading to the northern city of Gaalkacyo.
According to the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed Nur, the aircraft experienced a problem about 15 minutes into the flight, forcing the crew to return to Mogadishu for an emergency landing.
“The aircraft overran the runway and came to rest on the shore of the Indian Ocean near the airport,” Nur said in a statement, confirming that there were no injuries or fatalities.
Somalia’s Minister of Transportation, Mohamed Farah Nuh, also confirmed that rescue teams swiftly evacuated everyone on board and accounted for all passengers and crew members. He noted that while the aircraft sustained damage, no lives were lost.
The Director of Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority, Ahmed Moalim, said authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the exact cause of the technical fault and runway overshoot.
The dramatic incident has raised fresh concerns about aviation safety in the region, even as officials praised the flight crew and emergency responders for preventing what could have been a major disaster.
