United Nations officials worried about the fate of one of its helicopters and crew captured by al-Qaida’s East Africa affiliate al-Shabab after being forced to make an emergency landing in Somalia.
The al-Shabab militants reportedly killed one of the passengers who was trying to escape on Wednesdy and abducted most of the other passengers, including some military personnel. Two passengers also reportedly fled the scene.
Four Ukrainian citizens and five other foreigners were taken hostage, Ukraine’s foreign ministry said. The helicopter was on its way to Wisil in the north-central Mudug region of Somalia on Wednesday when it landed in an area controlled by the armed group, which set fire to the helicopter and seized the nine passengers.
“I can confirm that there was an incident involving a U.N.-contracted helicopter that took place today in Galmudug in Somalia,” U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at the regular daily briefing in New York.
“Response efforts are underway, but I think you will all understand for the sake of the safety of all those involved we are not going to say anymore at this point,” he said. "Our primary concern is for their safety, so we will leave it at that for now.”
The U.N. Assistance Mission in Somalia, or UNSOM, also confirmed "an aviation incident" involving a U.N.-contracted helicopter in Galmudug state in central Somalia.
"The helicopter was conducting an air medical evacuation. The U.N. is in the process of gathering all relevant information. Response efforts are underway," said UNSOM, which give logistical and medical support to African Union peacekeepers in Somalia. "More information will be shared when it becomes available."
Mohamed Abdi Aden Gaboobe, Galmudug's internal security minister, said that due to engine failure the helicopter had to land in Xindheere village, The Associated Press reported. Somali national forces were searching for passengers, Daud Aweis, Somalia’s information, culture and tourism minister, told CNN.
“They are doing a search in a very practical way because they have to engage the local people in the area to get information and gather intelligence to find where they are and so they can be quickly rescued,” Aweis said.
This story has been updated with additional details.
