What happened
Early one rainy morning, a small charter plane on its way from the coastal town of Diani toward the famous Maasai Mara reserve went down in a hilly, forested area. The aircraft caught fire after the impact, leaving a burned wreck and a heartbreaking scene for the first responders who arrived.
Who was on board
The flight carried mostly foreign visitors and a Kenyan pilot. Local authorities later confirmed that eleven people lost their lives. Officials initially reported slightly different passenger counts while rescue teams continued to work at the scene.
Timing and the weather
There was confusion over the exact time the crash occurred — different agencies reported different times — and heavy rain and thick mist were present that morning. Airport staff tried to reach the pilot after departure when communications failed, and they were unable to establish contact for an extended period before the aircraft was located.
The scene
Witnesses described a loud explosion and firefighters found a charred fuselage and remains that were hard to identify. Emergency crews and investigators cordoned off the area as they began documenting the wreckage and gathering evidence.
About the route and the reserve
The Maasai Mara is a major draw for wildlife lovers and photographers — it’s famous for the great wildebeest migration and other spectacular safari sights. The flight from Diani to the reserve is a short regional hop that many tourists take to squeeze more wildlife time into a beach-and-safari holiday.
Safety context
Kenya has seen aviation safety concerns in the past, with audits noting room for improvement in accident investigations. Small, regional aircraft are a common way for visitors to travel quickly between coastal resorts and inland reserves, and past accidents in the region have raised questions about oversight and weather-related risk management.
What’s next
Investigators are working to find the cause of the crash. The airline said it is focused on supporting the victims’ families as authorities and aviation agencies piece together the timeline and contributing factors. For now, the community and visitors alike are left mourning and waiting for answers.
