Kenyan officials have reported a plane crash in the coastal region of Kwale, raising concerns over the fate of 12 individuals aboard the aircraft. The incident occurred today as the small plane was en route to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, crashing in a hilly area approximately 25 miles from Diani airstrip.
According to Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde, all passengers were foreign tourists, although their nationalities are yet to be officially confirmed. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, as the distinction between crew members and passengers remains unclear.
Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud noise before discovering unidentifiable human remains at the crash site, where the aircraft had caught fire shortly after takeoff, resulting in a charred wreckage. Mombasa Air Safari, the airline involved, stated its cooperation with aviation authorities, pledging to provide regular updates on the ongoing investigation.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve, known for its iconic wildebeest migration from the Serengeti in Tanzania, attracts numerous tourists annually.