A military aircraft burst into flames moments after landing at the international airport in Somali capital Mogadishu on Friday, sending a thick plume of black smoke into the sky, airport staff and witnesses said.

Small blasts could be heard from the stricken plane. Airport workers said they believed they were caused by exploding ammunition.

“We hear explosions as it burns. It is burning like hell. It is sure it will end up in ash,” one security source at the airport told Reuters.

The source said the blaze was so intense firefighting crews were unable to tackle the blaze.

There was no immediate word on the crew and it was not clear where the military aircraft was flying from.

Military aircraft regularly land at the city’s airport, which also serves as the headquarters for an African Union force battling al Qaeda-linked Islamist militants.