A light aircraft carrying 12 people has crashed in Kwale County near Kenya’s southern coast, sparking shock and sorrow across the country as rescue teams rush to the scene. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed the incident early Friday morning, saying the ill-fated plane went down at around 05:30 local time (02:30 GMT) while flying from the coastal town of Diani to Kichwa Tembo, a popular safari destination in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
In a statement, the KCAA said government emergency response units, aviation safety experts, and police had arrived at the crash site to begin investigations and coordinate recovery operations. The authority added that efforts were ongoing to determine the cause of the accident and assess the full extent of the damage.
“Relevant government agencies are already on site working to establish the cause of the crash and to evaluate its impact,” the KCAA said. “Further details will be shared as soon as preliminary investigations are complete.”
Local media reports suggest that several tourists were on board the aircraft when it went down, although authorities have not yet released the nationalities of those involved. According to police sources quoted by local outlets, the plane caught fire shortly after impact, leaving little chance of survival for those on board.
Images circulating online and shared by Kenyan media show the wreckage engulfed in flames, with debris scattered across the crash site. Emergency services were seen battling the fire as investigators cordoned off the area. The crash site, located in a remote part of Kwale County, has made rescue operations challenging due to difficult terrain and limited accessibility.
Witnesses from nearby villages reported hearing a loud explosion before seeing a column of smoke rising into the sky. “We heard a loud bang, like thunder, and when we rushed to the area, we saw the wreckage burning,” said one local resident. “It was a terrible sight.”
Authorities have not yet confirmed the identities of the passengers or crew, but sources indicate that the flight was chartered to transport a group of tourists to one of Kenya’s most exclusive wildlife lodges. The Kichwa Tembo Airstrip, located in the heart of the Maasai Mara, is frequently used by charter flights carrying visitors to and from the region’s luxury camps.
The Kenya Police Service, Kenya Airports Authority, and the Ministry of Transport are working jointly with the KCAA to gather evidence, record witness statements, and recover flight data from the aircraft. Aviation safety experts say that investigations into such crashes typically focus on factors such as weather conditions, engine performance, air traffic control communication, and possible pilot error.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen expressed his condolences to the families of those on board, promising a transparent investigation. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident. The safety of all passengers remains our utmost priority, and we will ensure a thorough investigation to establish the cause and prevent future occurrences,” he said in a statement.
Kenya’s tourism industry, one of the country’s leading sources of revenue, frequently relies on small charter planes to connect its coastal destinations with national parks and game reserves. While air travel in Kenya is generally considered safe, this crash has renewed attention to safety standards for domestic and charter flights.
Residents of Kwale and the wider Diani community have also expressed deep grief, calling for prayers for the victims and their families. As investigators comb through the debris for clues, many across Kenya are anxiously awaiting updates on the fate of those who were aboard the plane.
The KCAA has urged the public to refrain from speculation and allow authorities to conduct their investigation professionally. “We appeal to the public to be patient as investigations continue and to respect the privacy of those affected by this tragedy,” the statement concluded.
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