Twelve People Die in Kwale Plane Crash En Route to Maasai Mara
Local authorities have also requested members of the public to stay away from the accident scene to avoid interfering with ongoing investigations.
. The aircraft had been operational in Kenya for more than a decade and was very well known for its safety and reliability for the transport of both passengers and cargo. Photo/courtesy
By Ruth Sang
A horrific air tragedy in Kwale County claimed the lives of twelve people after a light aircraft crashed in the Tsimba-Matuga area of Matuga Constituency on Tuesday morning. Authorities confirmed that all the people on board perished in the blaze crash.
The plane, registration number 5Y-CCA, was carrying a charter of tourists from Diani en route to Kichwa Tembo in the Maasai Mara when it crashed under mysterious circumstances, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Director General Emile Arao said. The plane had lost control immediately after take-off and crashed with flames engulfing it, according to reports.
The witnesses said that the accident occurred almost immediately after the plane was seen struggling in the skies, likely due to poor weather conditions. A witness said that they heard a tremendous explosion before the thick plumes of smoke poured out of the wooded area where the plane had crashed.
In a Citizen TV interview, a reporter confirmed that the plane was completely ablaze, with little possibility of survival for passengers. “The plane caught fire when it landed,” said the reporter. “Rescue teams are at the scene, but the wreckage is badly charred.”
Security officers, rescue teams, firefighters, and national and county government response teams responded quickly to the scene to conduct rescue and recovery operations. Authorities report, however, that challenging weather conditions and terrain are slowing down the rescue.
The KCAA has initiated an investigation to establish what led the plane to crash. The aviation authorities have dispatched officials to the scene to assess the wreckage and salvage the black box of the aircraft, which is expected to provide critical information of the final moments up to the accident.
The police have also cordoned off the area to facilitate rescue operations and the safety of residents who have converged at the scene. Local authorities have also requested members of the public to stay away from the accident scene to avoid interfering with ongoing investigations.
The fatal crash has triggered shock in the coastal region, with the leaders and government officials sending condolence messages to the victims’ families. Reports initially indicate the foreign tourists were traveling to Maasai Mara for a safari.
As the inquiry continues, the KCAA had promised that it is dedicated to upholding standards of aviation safety and ensuring all local flight operators meet established regulations.
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