11 Killed in Kenya Plane Crash En Route to Maasai Mara
A plane carrying mostly foreign tourists crashed in Kenya’s coastal Kwale region today, killing all 11 people on board, a tragedy that raises concerns about aviation safety in the region.
The aircraft, operated by Mombasa Air Safari, went down in a hilly, forested area approximately 25 miles from Diani airstrip at 8:35 a.m. local time, according to the Ministry of Transport. Passengers included eight Hungarian nationals, two German citizens, and the Kenyan pilot. Authorities stated the plane failed to communicate after departing Diani airstrip, and attempts to reach the pilot lasted for 30 minutes before the aircraft was located.
“The weather is not very good here at the moment. Since early in the morning, it is raining and it is very misty, but we cannot preempt [the findings],” Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde told reporters. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion and discovering unrecognizable remains at the crash site, where the aircraft burst into flames. The tourism industry is a significant contributor to Kenya’s economy, and disruptions like this can have a substantial impact.
Investigators are currently working to determine the cause of the crash. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority had initially reported 12 people were aboard the Cessna Caravan-type aircraft. The destination was the Maasai Mara National Reserve, a popular destination known for its annual wildebeest migration, located roughly two hours by air from Diani. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses, officials said.
