Several people are feared dead after a passenger plane crashed on Tuesday morning in Nyando, Tsimba Golini area of Kwale County. The incident occurred at around 8:30 a.m., sending shockwaves through the coastal region as emergency responders rushed to the scene.
According to local authorities, the aircraft, which was reportedly carrying tourists, lost control while en route from Diani to Kichwatembo in the Maasai Mara. Witnesses in the area said the plane appeared to struggle moments before crashing into a hilly section of Nyando village, leaving a trail of smoke visible from several kilometers away.
Rescue teams, including officers from the Kenya Red Cross, police, and county disaster management unit, were quickly dispatched to the crash site. Emergency responders are currently engaged in search and rescue operations, with several passengers believed to have perished in the accident. The number of casualties has not yet been confirmed.
Early reports suggest that adverse weather conditions could have contributed to the tragedy. Kwale County has been experiencing persistent rainfall since the early morning hours, resulting in reduced visibility and slippery terrain. Aviation experts have indicated that heavy rain and strong crosswinds often pose significant challenges for light aircraft operating in the region.
Authorities have cordoned off the area to facilitate rescue efforts and to allow aviation investigators to begin their preliminary assessment of the crash site. Wreckage from the aircraft was scattered over a wide area, making recovery operations difficult.
Residents who witnessed the incident described a loud explosion followed by thick black smoke. Some villagers attempted to reach the site to assist survivors before emergency services arrived. “We heard a loud bang and saw fire. The plane seemed to have lost balance before hitting the ground,” said one local resident.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) is expected to issue an official statement as investigations continue to determine the cause of the accident. Meanwhile, rescue operations remain ongoing, with authorities urging the public to avoid the area as emergency teams work to recover victims and secure the wreckage.
