Somalia Plane Overruns Mogadishu Runway, Stops in Shallow Water

A Somali passenger plane overran the runway at Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport on Tuesday and came to rest in shallow water along the shoreline, with all 55 people on board reported safe. The aircraft, operated by Starsky Aviation, had returned for an emergency landing after the crew reported a technical problem shortly after takeoff as initially cited by BBC News.

According to Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority, the flight touched down back in Mogadishu but failed to stop on the runway, overshooting the tarmac before ending up in the water near the Indian Ocean beach. Officials said the cause of the technical issue was not immediately clear, and an investigation has been launched.

Video shared on social media showed passengers exiting the aircraft and moving away from the wreckage on the shore. No serious injuries were reported, and Starsky Aviation said all 50 passengers and five crew members were evacuated safely.

The African Union mission in Somalia said its personnel, alongside partners, were deployed to support the response at the scene, and Somalia’s transport minister was also reported to have visited the site.

Starsky Aviation praised the pilot’s handling of the emergency, saying his calm decision-making was critical to ensuring everyone on board got out safely. Authorities and the airline said inquiries are continuing to establish what led to the runway overrun and the emergency landing outcome.