Authorities had yet to determine Saturday whether a Belarusian cargo plane that crashed in Somalia was shot down or crashed because of mechanical problems, reported the United Press International. All 11 crew members aboard were killed Friday when it went down shortly after take off from Mogadishu's main airport, the Shabelle Media Network said. However, some reports said insurgents were suspected of shooting down the plane with a rocket, while others said the aircraft experienced technical problems. Airport manager Mohammed Ahmed Siad told the news agency the pilot had confirmed that the plane's engines were on fire and he was directed to return to the airfield but because of "misfortune he could not afford to do that until it totally crashed." Service at the airport was not interrupted by the crash. "Even this morning a plane has landed at the airport which will take Prime Minister Ali Gedi and his delegation," Siad said.
