12 Feared Dead In Kenya Plane Crash En Route To Maasai Mara

At least 12 people are feared dead after a small aircraft crashed in Kenya’s coastal region of Kwale County on Tuesday while flying from Diani to the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed that the plane, carrying 12 people on board, went down in a hilly, forested area about 40 kilometres from Diani airstrip. The aircraft was en route to a private airstrip in Kichwa Tembo, a popular safari destination within the Maasai Mara.

According to officials, the aircraft burst into flames upon impact, leaving behind charred wreckage. Rescue teams were deployed to the crash site, but early reports indicate there were no survivors.

Preliminary investigations suggest that bad weather conditions, including low visibility and mist, may have contributed to the crash, though authorities have yet to determine the exact cause.

International media reports indicate that several of the victims were foreign tourists. The Associated Press reported that the passengers included eight Hungarians, two Germans, and a Kenyan pilot, though officials are still verifying the identities of all onboard.

The route between Diani and Maasai Mara is popular among tourists connecting Kenya’s coastal resorts with its world-famous wildlife reserves.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Transport have both launched investigations into the incident.

This tragedy adds to growing concerns about the safety of small aircraft operating tourist routes in Kenya, especially those flying through remote or rugged terrain.