A Somali police officer has died after a rotating aircraft propeller struck him shortly after he disembarked at Dhusamareb Airport

A Somali police officer has died after being struck by a rotating aircraft propeller shortly after disembarking at Dhusamareb Airport in central Somalia.

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The officer, identified as Mukhtar Qasim Samay, was attached to the security detail of Mogadishu Police Chief, Ma’alin Mahdi.

The incident occurred on Tuesday when Mahdi and members of his security team arrived at the airport ahead of the inauguration of Galmudug State’s incoming leader, Liban Ahmed Hassan.

According to Somali media reports, Samay was walking away from the aircraft when its still-moving propeller struck his head, killing him at the scene.

Footage obtained by PUNCH Online showed a white twin-propeller aircraft bearing the inscription STAR AIRLINES parked on the airport tarmac at night, with its propellers still rotating as passengers and security personnel disembarked.

The approximately 19-second video showed a portable staircase attached to the aircraft’s open door, while a crowd of men, including security personnel in military-style uniforms and others in formal and traditional clothing, gathered around it.

The shaky and grainy footage captured people moving around the aircraft while the propellers remained in motion.

Towards the end of the video, there was a sudden movement among members of the crowd, followed by camera movement and blurred images. However, the footage did not clearly capture the fatal impact.

Somali broadcaster Dalsan TV had earlier reported that Samay was struck on the head by the rotating propeller as he walked away from the aircraft after landing.

The deceased was a member of the Somali Police Force and reportedly served in the Haramacad unit.

Following his death, Mahdi Omar Mumin expressed condolences to Samay’s family, friends and colleagues in the police force in a Facebook post.

“Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raajicuun. I send my deepest condolences to the family, relatives, friends and all the Somali Police Forces, the shocking death that happened to them,” Mumin wrote.

He described Samay as one of the heroes of the Somali Police Force, particularly the Haramacad unit.

“May Allah have mercy on K/S Muqtar Qaasim Samay, who was one of the heroes of the Somali Police force, especially Haramacad,” he added.

Mahdi had travelled to Dhusamareb ahead of Thursday’s inauguration of Hassan, an event expected to attract political and security officials.

Dhusamareb is the administrative capital of Galmudug, one of Somalia’s federal member states.

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Local media outlet Mustaqbal had earlier reported that security arrangements had been strengthened in the city ahead of the inauguration.