African Union Mission in
Somalia (AMISOM) firefighters attempt to extinguish the fire at the
site of an Ethiopian military plane crash in Mogadishu, Somalia on
Friday, August 9th, 2013. (Photo: VOA News)
Saturday, August 10, 2013
The four crew members killed on board the Ethiopian military plane
that crashed on Friday at Mogadishu airport in Somalia were all
experienced Ethiopian Air Force personnel, including two senior pilots
who had also served under the previous regime, a source told Tadias
Magazine.
A colleague of the former pilots who refused to be named said that
those who died in the crash were experienced airmen who began work
during the Derg era and were employed by the air force under the current
government.
“I personally knew all of them,” the air force official said. “I am
very sad to hear the news of their death in such an incident.” He added:
“These pilots should be working as senior trainers and consultants not
flying planes.”
The other two killed are also reported to have many years of experience in the Ethiopian Air Force.
The Ethiopian government has not issued a statement regarding the
crash. But in a press release AMISOM said two surviving crew members
have been admitted to a hospital in Mogadishu.
News reports say the military aircraft may have been carrying
ammunition. According to international media, the Somali government is
to appoint a committee later today to investigate the cause of the
accident as well as the extent of the damage.
Although Ethiopia does have a sizable troop presence in Somalia, its
forces are not in the country under the AU mission, AMISOM.