UN-contracted aircraft crashes killing one in southwestern Somalia

GOOBJOOG NEWS|SOUTH WEST: A UN-contracted aircraft carrying humanitarian supplies rash-landed an airfield in South West state killing one person and injuring others.

The UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) said in a statement that the aircraft crash-landed at El Barde airstrip in South West State as it attempted to land.

“The aircraft was transporting humanitarian supplies for the World Food Programme when it veered off the runway. Initial reports indicate there was one fatality and two people injured,” the statement read in part.

The incident happened barely a week after another UN-contracted aircraft was hijacked by Al-Shabaab militants after it crashed following reports it was hit by an object.

There is no word yet from authorities regarding the fate of the occupants, though reports said one person died while two others escaped as about six others were held by Al-Shabaab.