Somalian Police Chief's Bodyguard Killed by Aircraft Propeller

A bodyguard assigned to Mogadishu Police Chief Ma’alin Mahdi died in a tragic accident after being struck by an aircraft propeller at Dhusamareb Airport in central Somalia. The victim, identified as Mukhtar Qasim Samaye, was killed on the scene immediately after disembarking from the plane.

Delegation Arrives for Regional Inauguration

Chief Mahdi and his security detail had flown to Dhusamareb to participate in high-profile security preparations ahead of the scheduled Thursday inauguration of Galmudug regional leader Liban Ahmed Hassan. The arrival of top security officials and political figures had prompted heightened security measures across the city.

Details of the Fatal Accident

According to local media reports, including Dalsan TV, the incident occurred when Samaye walked near the aircraft shortly after stepping off, inadvertently moving close to a still-rotating propeller. Video footage circulating on social media captured passengers and security personnel descending the airstair during nighttime operations, followed by sudden commotion near the aircraft.

Authorities have not yet released official statements regarding safety protocols at the airport or whether a formal investigation has been launched into how the officer managed to approach the active engine. Tributes have poured in from police colleagues, honoring Samaye as a dedicated hero of the Somali Police Force and the elite Haramcad unit.