Crash site
Picnews
A devastating plane crash occurred in Kwale County, Kenya, involving a light aircraft carrying 12 people, mostly foreign tourists, en route to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The plane, a Cessna Caravan-type aircraft with registration number 5Y-CCA, crashed in a hilly and forested area about 40 kilometers from Diani airstrip, bursting into flames on impact.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the incident, stating that emergency response teams and investigators were already at the site to determine the cause of the crash and assess the damage. According to Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde, the passengers were “all foreign tourists,” and their nationalities would be confirmed later. The authorities have not disclosed the identities of the victims.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang before seeing the plane engulfed in flames, with unrecognizable human remains at the scene. “It was still very early when I heard a loud bang. I rushed to the scene and found that the plane had caught fire and there was no one we could save,” local resident Makopa Sazu told Daily Nation.
The crash happened under questionable circumstances, with local reports indicating that the region experienced heavy rainfall on Monday night and thick fog blanketed the hilly terrain on Tuesday morning. These conditions may have contributed to the accident. Senator Beatrice Akinyi Ogolla expressed her condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones affected, saying, “I’m deeply saddened by the news of the tragic plane crash in Kwale County that has claimed precious lives. May they find strength and comfort during this difficult time.”
The Kenya Meteorological Department had warned of heavy rains and strong winds along the coast, predicting that a tropical storm named Chenge could bring high waves and rain to the area. The incident has raised concerns about aviation safety and the potential impact of adverse weather conditions on flights.
Mombasa Air Safari, the airline operating the flight, has confirmed its collaboration with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority to investigate the crash. This incident follows another plane crash in Mwihoko, Kiambu county, which claimed four lives in August. The Kenyan aviation sector is working to establish the cause of the crash and prevent similar incidents in the future.
