A tragic plane crash early Tuesday morning claimed 11 lives — mostly foreign tourists — after a Mombasa Air Safari aircraft went down in Kenya’s coastal region of Kwale. The plane, en route to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, was carrying eight Hungarian nationals, two Germans, and one Kenyan pilot, all of whom were killed in the crash.
Authorities said the aircraft lost contact shortly after takeoff from Diani airstrip, sparking immediate concern when the control tower failed to reach the pilot for over 30 minutes. The wreckage was later found in a hilly, forested area about 40 kilometers from Diani, engulfed in flames. Witnesses described hearing a loud explosion before discovering the burned remains of the passengers and the completely destroyed plane. According to Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde, the crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. local time, amid heavy rainfall in the region. Investigators have since launched an inquiry to determine the cause of the accident, while the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) initially reported 12 people onboard before confirming 11 fatalities.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most famous wildlife destinations, attracts thousands of visitors yearly for its iconic wildebeest migration and scenic views stretching from the Serengeti in Tanzania. The route from Diani to the Mara is a popular tourist flight, usually lasting about two hours.
This tragedy has renewed concerns about Kenya’s aviation safety standards, especially after a 2018 audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) revealed that the country scored below the global average in accident investigation and oversight.
As rescue teams comb through the debris, the nation mourns yet another heartbreaking reminder of how fragile human life can be — even amid the skies that once promised adventure and beauty.
