Burkina Faso is marking the 11th anniversary of the Air Algérie AH5017 crash, a tragedy that claimed 116 lives and left an enduring scar on the nation’s memory.
On 24 July 2014, the McDonnell Douglas MD-83, operating as Air Algérie Flight AH5017, departed Ouagadougou for Algiers but lost contact less than an hour into its journey. The aircraft later crashed near Gossi in northern Mali, killing all passengers and crew on board.
Eleven years on, the country pauses to honour those who never returned. In Ouagadougou, families, friends, and officials gathered in solemn remembrance, paying tribute to the victims and expressing continued solidarity with all affected by the disaster.
“Burkina Faso bows in remembrance and holds in its heart those who never returned. To their families, their friends, and all those affected by the tragedy, we reaffirm our solidarity,” a statement from organisers read.
The victims of the flight included citizens from multiple nations, with the largest groups coming from France, Burkina Faso, Lebanon, and Algeria. The incident remains one of the deadliest air disasters in West African history.
Subsequent investigations by French aviation authorities concluded that the crash was caused by the crew’s failure to activate the aircraft’s anti-icing system, leading to a loss of control at cruising altitude. The findings prompted renewed calls for stricter pilot training and enhanced safety oversight in the region.
Though 11 years have passed, commemorations continue to serve as both a moment of mourning and a call for ongoing improvements in air travel safety.
For the families, the anniversary is a poignant reminder of lives cut short and a collective vow that the memory of those lost will endure.
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