An African Express Airways Embraer EMB-120RT crashed while approaching Bardale airport in southwest Somalia, killing the six people on board.
The aircraft, registered 5YAXO, took off from Mogadishu Airport (MGQ) and was transporting medical supplies destined to fight the coronavirus pandemic to Baidoa Airport (BIB), in the southern Bay region on May 4, 2020. Reports say it had been chartered by a non-governmental organization. Onboard were two pilots and four passengers.
Photos from the crash site outside Bardale town. All six people on board are dead. The plane was chartered by an NGO and was transporting medical supplies and mosquito nets to Bardale. Crash occurred around 3:45pm local time. pic.twitter.com/JAwqbNZ54R
— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) May 4, 2020
The plane was 5 kilometers away from its destination airport and had commenced its descent when it crashed, killing all occupants.
The causes of the accident are being investigated. Early reports claim the aircraft could have been shot down by a rocket, as the Islamist militant group al Shabaab is present in the region. The insurgents, however, denied that claim.
On 2 February 2016, al Shabaab targeted an international flight operated by the Somali-based Daallo Airlines. Shortly after taking off from Mogadishu, a suicide bomber on board detonated, killing himself and injuring two people. The aircraft managed to land back at the airport safely.