MOGADISHU, Somalia — A cargo plane registered in Kenya tragically crashed near Mogadishu on Saturday, claiming the lives of all five crew members on board, according to the Somali Civil Aviation Authority.

The aircraft, a DHC-5D Buffalo bearing registration number 5Y-RBA and serial number 109, went down around 5:43 PM local time, approximately 24 kilometers (15 miles) west of the Somali capital. Operated by Trident Aviation Limited, a Kenyan aviation company, the plane had taken off from Dhobley in the Lower Juba region, carrying supplies intended for African Union forces stationed in Somalia.

“There were five individuals on board the aircraft—all of them sadly lost their lives in the crash,” the aviation authority stated in an official release, extending heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.

The aircraft was headed to Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport when the incident occurred. Dhobley serves as a strategic base for Kenyan troops operating under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), who are active in stabilizing the Jubaland region.

While the names of the victims have not yet been publicly released, emergency response teams, including government agencies and international partners, quickly arrived at the crash site to begin search and recovery efforts. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash, and further information will be shared as it becomes available.

In Somalia, where road infrastructure remains limited and often insecure, air transport is frequently relied upon as a faster and safer alternative—despite ongoing risks posed by militant groups.

Officials have stressed that there is currently no indication of foul play or involvement by the al-Shabaab militant group, which is not believed to possess the capability to target aircraft at such altitude.