Kenyan Plane Allegedly Downed By Ethiopian Troops Killing 6 On Board

A Kenyan plane carrying medicines and mosquito nets with a crew of six people (2 Kenyan pilots and 4 Somali nationals) crushed on Monday in what locals are saying coordinated attack from the Ethiopian troops.

The light aircraft belonging to African Express was set to land in Bardale Somalia when it suddenly went down, exploding into a fireball killing two Kenyan pilots and four Somali nationals.

The Ethiopian authorities have neither confirmed nor denied downing Embraer 120 plane with a tail registration of 5Y AXO.

Witnesses say the plane was hit by an RPG from the Ethiopian forces stationed at Bardale Airport in what is likely to increase resentment against the troops from the locals.

Locals at the scene say they managed to count five bodies with the sixth body yet to be found. The plane was carrying humanitarian aid to Somalia including medicines and mosquito nets.

Other reports indicate that the Ethiopian forces were not informed beforehand that a plane was to land in the town leading to the “accidental incident” with investigations into the matter still underway.

African Express is owned by Captain Musa Hassan Bulhan, a career pilot and one of the few pioneers in Kenya’s aviation industry. He is also among a few Africans who own and operate commercial planes.

If it will be confirmed that indeed the plane was shot down by Ethiopian forces, a diplomatic conflict is likely to ensure between Somalia and Ethiopia, and Kenya and Ethiopia.

Both the Kenyan government and their Ethiopian counterparts have not issued a statement following the incident.

READ: Al-Shabaab Still a Threat To Somalia And Kenya – UN Report