Somali Police Bodyguard Killed by Running Aircraft Propeller at Airport
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 6 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A tragic accident unfolded at Dhuusamareb Airport in central Somalia on November 3, 2026, when a bodyguard assigned to protect Police Commissioner Macalin Mahdi was killed after being struck by an aircraft propeller still in motion. The incident occurred as Mahdi and his security detail arrived for the inauguration of Galmudug state's new leader Liibaan Axmed Xasan, scheduled for November 5 .
Key Points
- The deceased officer, Mukhtaar Qaasim, was a member of Commissioner Mahdi's security team assigned to escort duty
- Mahdi had traveled from Mogadishu to attend the inauguration of Liibaan Axmed Xasan as Galmudug's new regional leader
- Security footage shows one bodyguard being pulled back by an alert ground crew member before approaching the propeller, yet Mukhtaar Qaasim was not stopped in time
- Mukhtaar Qaasim was struck in the head by the rotating propeller and died at the scene; his body was transported to Dhuusamareb city
- Galmudug Police Commander Mahdi Omar Mumin expressed condolences, describing Mukhtaar Qaasim as a valued member of the Somali police force
Why It Matters
This incident highlights critical safety lapses on Somali airport aprons, where the lack of proper coordination between aircraft operations and passenger disembarkation poses deadly risks. The tragedy has sparked renewed scrutiny of ground safety protocols at regional airports, with aviation experts calling for mandatory propeller shutdown procedures before passengers exit aircraft .
This incident highlights critical safety lapses on Somali airport aprons, where the lack of proper coordination between aircraft operations and passenger disembarkation poses deadly risks. The tragedy has sparked renewed scrutiny of ground safety protocols at regional airports, with aviation experts calling for mandatory propeller shutdown procedures before passengers exit aircraft .