Ugandan military helicopter crashes at Mogadishu airport

Reuters

Thick smoke and flames rose over Mogadishu airport on Wednesday after a Ugandan military helicopter crash landed during a peacekeeping mission, leaving several crew members unaccounted for.

A Ugandan military helicopter deployed with the African Union mission crash landed at Mogadishu airport on Wednesday. Of the eight people onboard, three survived, according to Ugandan military spokesperson Felix Kulayigye.

The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) confirmed that rescue efforts are ongoing to find the remaining five. The aircraft caught fire upon impact, with emergency crews responding to the scene.

AUSSOM, which has over 11,000 troops in Somalia, supports the country’s fight against al Shabaab militants.

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