11 killed in Kwale plane crash

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Director General Emile Arao confirmed that the plane, registration number 5Y-CCA, carrying tourists was heading to Kichwa Tembo in Maasai Mara from Diani before crashing on Tuesday morning.

A Citizen TV reporter who was at the scene of the accident said that the plane erupted into flames upon impact. 

Photos believed to be from the crash showed pieces of the craft smouldering and strewn across the crash site. 

Security officers and government agencies have arrived at the scene and rescue operations are underway, but harsh weather is slowing down the process.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir confirmed the incident, saying that all 11 occupants on board the aircraft operated by Mombasa Air Safari were found to have suffered fatal injuries.

He added that investigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID) have been deployed to the accident site to commence a comprehensive on-site investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Mombasa Air Safari has said that preliminary investigations revealed that there were 10 passengers on board - 8 Hungarians and 2 Germans and the captain on board.

"Sadly, there are no survivors. Our hearts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragic event," said the travel agency in a statement.

The team has activated its emergency response team and is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities, who have begun their investigation.

"Our primary focus right now is on providing all possible support to the families affected," the statement added.

Editor's Note:
A previous version of this article indicated 12 fatalities. Citizen Digital has revised this number after a passenger manifest list from the airline showed 11 people boarded the aircraft.