Plane crash in Kenya kills all 12 on board as authorities probe cause
Kenya has launched an urgent investigation after a small passenger aircraft crashed in a forested area of Kwale County on Tuesday morning, with all 12 people on board feared dead.
The plane had taken off from the coastal town of Diani and was flying to Kichwa Tembo, a major gateway to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, when it went down shortly after 5.30am local time. The sector is popular with tourists travelling to one of Africa’s best known wildlife destinations.
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Emergency teams and police officers rushed to Tsimba Golini, the hilly crash site located about 40 kilometres from Diani airstrip, where the wreckage was found in flames with debris scattered across the ground.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the incident in a statement, identifying the aircraft as registration number 5Y CCA. The agency said government response units are on the scene working to assess the impact and determine what led to the tragedy.
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Local media reports suggest foreign tourists may have been among the passengers, although officials have not yet provided details on nationalities or identities.
Stephen Orinde, Kwale County Commissioner, told reporters that recovery operations are ongoing in challenging terrain as investigators try to establish what happened during the short flight.
Authorities have not ruled out poor visibility or adverse weather conditions as possible factors, given early morning conditions along the coast, although no official cause has been identified.
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The operator of the aircraft runs routes that connect Mombasa and other coastal hubs to major tourism destinations across Kenya including the Maasai Mara and Nairobi.
The Maasai Mara draws thousands of visitors each year, particularly during the annual wildebeest migration from July to October. The air corridor between the coast and the game reserve is one of the busiest tourist routes in the country.
The aviation authority says further updates will be provided as more information is verified. Government agencies continue to work at the scene while families await confirmation and support from officials.
