A small aircraft operated by Mombasa Air Safari crashed early Tuesday, October 28, in Kwale County, Kenya, while en route to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, leaving 11 people feared dead, according to officials.
Authorities said the Cessna Caravan went down in a hilly, forested area about 40 kilometers from Diani Airstrip, minutes after takeoff, and burst into flames, leaving the wreckage completely charred.
Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde confirmed that all those on board were foreign tourists, though their nationalities are yet to be verified.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) stated that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash, while Mombasa Air Safari said it is cooperating fully with aviation authorities.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion before discovering the remains of the victims at the crash site.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve—the aircraft’s destination—is one of Africa’s premier tourist attractions, famous for its annual wildebeest migration from Tanzania’s Serengeti.
