MM Report
KOLKATA: A group of worshippers associated with the Tablighi Jamaat in Kolkata narrowly escaped disaster after the aircraft carrying them to Somalia crash-landed near the seashore, witnesses and local officials said.
The group, believed to be travelling for a religious outreach visit, had departed from Kolkata earlier in the day. According to preliminary accounts, the aircraft lost altitude abruptly as it approached the Somali coastline. Eyewitnesses described the plane as appearing to “fall straight from the sky” before hitting the ground close to the water’s edge.
Despite the severity of the descent, the aircraft remained largely intact after impact. Photographs shared from the scene showed the fuselage upright on sandy terrain, with emergency services and local residents rushing to assist passengers. There were no immediate reports of fire or explosion, factors that aviation analysts say often determine whether such incidents end in tragedy.
All 55 passengers and crew on board survived. Several individuals sustained minor injuries and were treated at nearby medical facilities, but officials confirmed that there were no fatalities. Survivors were later seen offering prayers of gratitude, describing their escape as nothing short of miraculous.
Authorities in Somalia said an investigation had been launched to determine the cause of the sudden loss of altitude. Aviation experts are expected to examine flight data, weather conditions and technical records to establish whether mechanical failure, human error or external factors played a role.
Members of the Tablighi Jamaat community in Kolkata expressed relief at the news, with families saying they had been bracing for the worst after hearing initial reports of the crash. Instead, the focus turned to thanksgiving, as what could have been a major air disaster ended with all lives spared.
