DUBAI: A light aircraft has crashed in the carpark of Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque injuring the pilot, officials said on Monday, blaming a technical malfunction.
“A Cessna light civil single-engine fixed-wing aircraft crashed in the outdoor parking lots of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque due to a technical malfunction. Competent teams immediately rushed to the crash site,” state news agency WAM reported, citing the General Civil Aviation Authority.
The Cessna single-engine plane was approaching an exclusive airport for private jets in the UAE capital’s center when it came down near the white marble landmark, the country’s biggest mosque.
“Preliminary investigations showed that the accident was caused by a technical malfunction while the amateur-built plane was heading to land at Al-Bateen Executive Airport, and crashed in an unpopulated area,” GCAA said.
“As a result of the accident, the pilot was injured and rushed to the hospital for necessary treatment and monitoring,” the authority added.
It also said that all concerned teams, including the National Search and Rescue Center, the General Command of Abu Dhabi Police and the GCAA, coordinated to secure the crash site, affirming “that the safety of civilians is their top priority.”
GCAA said that it will continue investigating the causes and consequences of the accident, and Emirati authorities urged the public to obtain information from official sources only, and to avoid spreading and circulating rumors.
(With AFP)
Light plane crashes near UAE’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, pilot hurt
https://arab.news/r8y7v
Light plane crashes near UAE’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, pilot hurt
- The pilot was injured and rushed to the hospital for necessary treatment and monitoring
Gaza mourns victims as bodies arrive at Al-Shifa hospital
GAZA: Palestinians gathered at Gaza City’s Al-Shifa hospital on Tuesday to mourn loved ones killed in recent Israeli strikes on Gaza.
Four bodies were brought to the hospital from the Tuffah neighborhood following reported Israeli attacks.
Medical sources said the victims were killed in separate incidents in northern Gaza.
The Israeli military said it was not aware of any operations in northern Gaza on Tuesday.
More than 480 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since the October ceasefire, amid repeated accusations of violations.
Under a US-brokered ceasefire that came into effect on October 10, Israeli forces have withdrawn to positions behind a so-called "Yellow Line" in Gaza, though they remain in control of more than half of the territory.
"Following the identification, the (Israeli air force) struck and eliminated the terrorists in order to remove the threat," the military said.
Media restrictions in Gaza and limited access to many areas mean AFP cannot independently verify casualty figures and details provided by either side.
The ceasefire has largely halted fighting between Israel and Hamas, but both sides have accused each other of violating its terms.
With agencies
