Ethiopian military plane crashes at Somali airport
August 10, 2013 (ADDIS ABABA) – An Ethiopian Air force plane on Friday crash landed at Mogadishu airport in Somalia, where thousands of Ethiopian forces are helping the country in the battle against al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab insurgents.
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said four of the six crew members, including two senior pilots on board, were killed in the incident.
AMISOM said the military plane which was carrying logistical support to African Union (AU) peacekeepers in the region “burst into flames immediately on crashing”.
The Ethiopian military cargo plane reportedly missed the runway before crash landing at Somalia’s international airport, where many military aircraft carrying supplies for AU peacekeeping forces land daily.
AMISOM firefighters helped to extinguish the fire at the airport.
The exact cause of the accident remains unclear, with the Somali government to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Ethiopian government has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Military officials in Ethiopia also refused Sudan Tribune’s requests for comment.
There are unconfirmed reports that the Soviet-made Antonov 24 plane had been carrying ammunitions.
Ethiopia first deployed its troops inside war-ravaged Somalia in 2011 to help the weak Somali government forces defeat the Islamist insurgent group, al Shabaab which was in control to many parts of the country.
(ST)