Tragedy struck early Tuesday morning after a local charter plane carrying 12 people crashed and burst into flames at Tsimba area in Kwale County, moments after takeoff.
According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the aircraft, registration number 5Y-CCA, was flying from Diani to Kichwa Tembo when it went down at around 5:30 a.m.
Kwale County Police Commander Abdillahi Alio confirmed the incident, saying the aircraft burst into flames immediately after impact, leaving rescuers battling intense heat and thick smoke.
“The plane crashed at Tsimba area shortly after takeoff and caught fire. We are currently coordinating rescue and recovery operations at the scene,” said Commander Alio.
Rescue teams from the Kenya Red Cross, National Police Service, and local authorities responded swiftly, but as of the latest reports, no survivors have been confirmed.
Authorities are yet to release the names of those on board, pending notification of their families.
KCAA noted that bad weather or technical failure could be among possible causes of the crash, though investigations are ongoing to establish what led to the tragedy.
“We can confirm that an aircraft with 12 people on board has gone down in Kwale County. Preliminary investigations are underway,” said a KCAA spokesperson.
The crash has cast a pall of grief across the nation, with Kenyans sending messages of condolence to the families of the victims.
