Plane with 55 Passengers Overshoots Runway in Somalia

A passenger plane carrying 55 people overshot the runway and came to rest in shallow seawater near Mogadishu’s main airport on Tuesday after a reported technical problem forced an emergency landing, Somali authorities said. All passengers and crew were evacuated safely, with no fatalities reported, although several sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital for evaluation.

The aircraft, a Starsky Aviation Fokker 50 with 50 passengers and five crew aboard, was flying from Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport to the northern region of Puntland when the crew reported a malfunction about 15 minutes after takeoff. The pilot attempted to return for an emergency landing, but the aircraft failed to stop on the runway and skidded off toward the adjacent shoreline of the Indian Ocean.

Transportation Minister Mohamed Farah Nuh confirmed that rescue teams quickly accounted for everyone on board and that the injured were stabilised and transferred to nearby medical facilities. “We are thankful that the incident did not result in loss of life,” he said in a statement, noting that only the aircraft suffered substantial damage.

Photos and footage from the scene showed the plane stationary in knee-deep water, with emergency personnel working alongside United Nations and African Union missions to assist survivors. Some passengers were seen walking away from the wreckage toward waiting ambulances and support teams.

Passengers described tense moments in the cabin as the engines sputtered and the flight crew communicated with air traffic control to secure priority for the return. One passenger said many onboard began praying as the aircraft veered off the paved surface and into the wet sand.

Starsky Aviation’s chief executive, Ahmed Nur, praised the flight crew’s response, saying their “quick thinking and calm decision-making” were decisive in ensuring everyone’s survival. The airline said it was cooperating with aviation authorities to determine the cause of the technical issue that led to the emergency.

Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority has launched an official investigation into the runway excursion and subsequent water landing. Preliminary reports suggest the fault occurred shortly after departure, though full findings are expected once investigators have examined flight data recorders and maintenance logs.

The incident has reignited discussions about aviation safety and emergency preparedness at Mogadishu’s airport, a key hub for domestic and regional flights. Airlines operating in Somalia have been urged to review maintenance procedures and ensure robust emergency protocols are in place.