Tengrinews.kz – A small tourist plane operated by Mombasa Air Safari has crashed in southeastern Kenya while en route to the famous Maasai Mara National Reserve.
According to DW, there were 11 people on board: ten foreign tourists and one Kenyan pilot. No one survived.
The Kenya's Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) reported that the tragedy occurred around 5:30 a.m. local time (2:30 GMT) in the hilly terrain of Kwale County, near the Indian Ocean coast. The Cessna Caravan aircraft had taken off from Diani airstrip and crashed just a few minutes later, approximately 40 kilometers from the airfield.
“The aircraft had 11 persons on board. Sadly, there are no survivors,” confirmed a KCAA representative.
Officials from Mombasa Air Safari stated that among the victims were eight Hungarian citizens, two Germans, and the Kenyan captain. In an official statement, company chairman John Cleave expressed condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by a burst of flames.
A light aircraft carrying tourists to the Maasai Mara National Reserve crashed shortly after takeoff from Diani. Authorities confirm there are no survivors.
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The airline, Mombasa Air Safari, states 11 people were on board: eight Hungarians, two Germans, and the Kenyan pilot. pic.twitter.com/9RDBGUVXz4
At the crash site, charred wreckage and human remains were found. Authorities noted that it will take time to determine the full circumstances of the tragedy.
The accident occurred on the route to the Kichwa Tembo private airstrip, located in the Maasai Mara National Reserve — one of East Africa’s most famous tourist destinations. Every year, thousands of visitors come here to witness the Great Migration of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles arriving from neighboring Tanzania.