A light aircraft carrying international tourists to the renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve crashed in Kenya’s coastal region early Tuesday morning, resulting in the death of all 11 people on board. The passengers included eight Hungarian nationals, two German nationals, and the Kenyan pilot.
The single-engine Cessna Caravan-type aircraft, operated by Mombasa Air Safari, went down in a hilly, forested area of Kwale County, approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Diani airstrip shortly after takeoff. The flight was en route from Diani, a popular coastal holiday spot, to Kichwa Tembo in the Maasai Mara, a key safari destination.
“Sadly, there are no survivors,” Mombasa Air Safari stated in a press release, confirming the devastating loss of life.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has initiated a full investigation into the tragic accident, which occurred around 5:30 a.m. local time. Preliminary reports from local authorities suggest the aircraft burst into flames upon impact, and the wreckage was found charred and scattered across the remote crash site.
Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde indicated that challenging weather conditions, including heavy rain and poor visibility, were present in the coastal area and are being examined as potential contributing factors to the crash.
Emergency response teams have secured the area and are working to recover remains and secure vital evidence for the KCAA’s accident investigation team. The focus now shifts to identification procedures and providing support to the families of the foreign tourists and the Kenyan crew members affected by the disaster.
