12 feared dead as tourist plane crashes in Kenya’s Kwale county

12 feared dead as tourist plane crashes in Kenya’s Kwale county

Tragedy struck in Kenya’s coastal Kwale County on Tuesday morning when a light aircraft carrying 12 people, including foreign tourists, crashed shortly after takeoff from the Diani airstrip and burst into flames.

The Cessna Caravan aircraft, operated by Mombasa Air Safari, was en route to the famed Maasai Mara National Reserve when it went down in a hilly, forested area approximately 40 kilometres from the airstrip.

Kwale County Commissioner, Stephen Orinde, told the Associated Press that all passengers onboard were believed to be foreign nationals. He said authorities were working to confirm their identities and notify respective embassies.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed that the aircraft had 12 occupants — passengers and crew — and said an investigation had commenced to determine the cause of the crash.

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Eyewitnesses near the crash site reported hearing a loud explosion moments after the plane took off. “When we arrived, the wreckage was in flames and the bodies were unrecognizable,” a local resident said.

In a statement, Mombasa Air Safari acknowledged the incident and said it was cooperating fully with aviation and emergency authorities. “Further updates will be provided through official channels as more information becomes available,” the airline said.

The ill-fated flight was heading to the Maasai Mara, one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations, renowned for its annual wildebeest migration from Tanzania’s Serengeti plains — a spectacle that draws thousands of international tourists each year.

Authorities have cordoned off the crash site as emergency teams continue recovery efforts.

 

12 feared dead as tourist plane crashes in Kenya’s Kwale county