Five UPDF personnel perished today morning after an army chopper, tail number AUO-015, crashed about 200 meters east of the North Ramp at Mogadishu International Airport.
The army said in a statement that the helicopter was on a routine combat escort mission at the time of the incident.
“Eight personnel were on board, including six crew members. Five personnel perished in the crash. The pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer survived but sustained serious injuries and severe burns. They were evacuated to the AUSSOM Sector 1 Level II Hospital for treatment, along with three civilians injured by the detonation of onboard munitions, which also caused significant damage to nearby structures,” UPDF said in a statement signed by Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, the director of public information in the army.
He said a joint emergency response team, including firefighters from Mogadishu International Airport, United Nations personnel, and AUSSOM Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts, is managing the scene and supporting rescue efforts.
“An official investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash,” he said.
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