A small plane carrying 12 people, including foreign tourists, crashed in Kenya’s coastal region of Kwale on Tuesday, October 28, with all onboard feared dead. The aircraft, a Cessna Caravan-type plane, was headed to Maasai Mara National Reserve when it went down in a hilly and forested area about 40 kilometers from Diani airstrip.

According to Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde, the passengers were all foreign tourists, and their nationalities would be confirmed later. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority is investigating the cause of the crash, which occurred just minutes after takeoff. The plane burst into flames, leaving a charred wreckage at the scene.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang and discovering unrecognizable human remains upon arriving at the scene. The airline, Mombasa Air Safari, is collaborating with the civil aviation body to investigate the incident and will provide updates through the authority.

Maasai Mara National Reserve is a popular tourist destination, known for its annual wildebeest migration from the Serengeti in Tanzania. The reserve attracts tourists from around the world, and incidents like this can have significant implications for the tourism industry.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation into the crash, which will aim to determine the cause of the accident. The authority will work with relevant stakeholders, including the airline and local authorities, to piece together the events surrounding the crash.

As the investigation unfolds, more information is expected to emerge about the circumstances leading up to the crash. For now, the focus is on supporting the families of the victims and determining the cause of the tragic incident. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of aviation safety and the need for ongoing efforts to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.