Six killed after Kenyan plane crashes in Somalia

A plane operated by Kenyan-based African Express Airways crashed near Bardale Town in Somalia on Monday, leaving all six people on board dead. According to state-run Somalia News Agency, the six people who died include the pilot, copilot, flight engineer and a trainee pilot, as well as two people working for the airline.

While confirming the incident, Somalia's Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said the aircraft was operating as a cargo plane from the town of Baidoa to Bardale.

"The government is conducting a thorough investigation and will publish the findings in a timely manner," the ministry said in a statement released on Monday.

However, with suspicion rife that the plane might have been shot down, Kenya has asked Somalia to investigate the unclear circumstances under which the aircraft crashed. In a statement released by Kenya's Ministry of Foreign affairs on Tuesday, Kenya demanded an immediate investigation into the incident, warning that it could harm humanitarian aid deliveries in Somalia.

"The aircraft had been supporting humanitarian operations during this COVID-19 pandemic period. Kenyan and other humanitarian aircraft operating in the region are urged to enhance extra precaution in light of the unclear circumstances surrounding the incident," Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in the statement.

"We are working with other agencies and we shall keenly monitor the investigation of this tragic incident and will collaborate with all to bring closure and resolution," Kenya's Foreign Ministry said.