Mogadishu, Somalia – February 11, 2026 — All 55 people on board a commercial passenger aircraft survived a harrowing crash-landing on a beach in Somalia on Wednesday after the plane overran the runway and came to rest in shallow waters shortly after takeoff.
The incident occurred at a small coastal airstrip in the southern Somali region, involving a domestic flight operated by a local airline. According to preliminary reports from aviation authorities and eyewitnesses, the aircraft—a twin-engine turboprop—departed normally but encountered a critical problem almost immediately after becoming airborne. Pilots declared an emergency and attempted to return to the airfield, but were unable to maintain altitude or reach the runway threshold.
Instead, the plane touched down beyond the runway end, skidded across soft ground, and continued until it came to a stop in shallow seawater along the adjacent beach. Video footage circulating on social media and verified by local journalists shows the aircraft partially submerged in the surf, with its nose pointing seaward and passengers and crew evacuating through emergency exits and over the wings.
Remarkably, no fatalities or serious injuries were reported. All 55 individuals on board—comprising 48 passengers and 7 crew members—were safely evacuated within minutes. Local fishermen, beachgoers, and emergency responders assisted in the rescue operation, helping passengers wade through knee-deep water to reach dry land. Several passengers were seen carrying small children and assisting elderly travellers during the evacuation.
Somalia’s Ministry of Aviation and the Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the safe outcome in an initial statement, describing the incident as “an emergency landing due to technical failure.” The authority has launched a formal investigation in collaboration with the airline and international aviation experts to determine the exact cause, which is believed to involve engine malfunction or loss of thrust on takeoff.
The aircraft involved is reportedly a frequently used model on Somalia’s domestic routes, where short runways, challenging weather conditions, and limited maintenance infrastructure often complicate operations. The beach location—while dramatic—likely contributed to the survival of everyone on board, as the soft sand and shallow water slowed the aircraft gradually and prevented a more catastrophic impact.
Passengers described a chaotic but controlled evacuation. One survivor, speaking to local radio shortly after the incident, said: “We heard a loud bang just after takeoff, then the plane started shaking badly. The captain told us to brace for landing. When we hit the ground, we knew it wasn’t the runway. But thank God, everyone got out quickly. The crew was very calm and guided us.”
Emergency services from nearby towns, supported by Somali National Army personnel stationed in the area, secured the site and provided immediate medical checks. Several passengers received treatment for minor cuts, bruises, and shock, but no one required hospitalisation for serious injuries. The airline has arranged alternative transport for stranded passengers and has promised full cooperation with investigators.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges facing Somalia’s aviation sector, which has seen gradual improvement since the collapse of central authority in the 1990s but continues to operate under difficult conditions. Poor runway surfaces, limited navigational aids, and the threat of insurgent activity in some regions have long posed risks to domestic flights. Despite these challenges, the safe evacuation has been widely praised as a testament to crew training, passenger composure, and the effectiveness of emergency procedures.
Aviation safety experts noted that the outcome could have been far worse had the aircraft struck harder terrain or deeper water. The survival of all on board has been described as “miraculous” by some observers, though officials attribute it primarily to the professionalism of the flight crew and the relatively forgiving landing environment.
The aircraft remains on the beach pending recovery operations. Investigators from Somalia’s aviation authority, supported by regional experts, are expected to examine the wreckage for evidence of mechanical failure, pilot response, and environmental factors. The airline has temporarily suspended operations on the affected route pending the outcome of the investigation and any required safety reviews.
As the passengers reunite with families and the investigation begins, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in aviation in fragile and resource-constrained environments—yet also as a powerful example of how proper training, quick decision-making, and community response can avert tragedy even in the most perilous circumstances.
