A plane carrying European tourists crashed this Tuesday, October 28, in Kenya. The aircraft, operated by Mombasa Air Safari, struck the ground around 5:30 a.m. in the Tsimba Golini area of Kwale County.
Eleven people were killed. John Cleave, president of the airline, confirmed in a statement that eight Hungarians, two Germans, and one Kenyan pilot were on board.
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, registered 5Y-CCA, was flying from the seaside resort of Diani to the Masai Mara National Reserve. The early-morning tourist flight was expected to last about two hours. The control tower at Diani Airport tried for thirty minutes to contact the pilot after takeoff, but without success.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority stated in an official release : “The aircraft with registration number 5Y-CCA, departing from Diani and bound for Kichwa Tembo, crashed at 0530Z.” Government teams have been dispatched to the site to determine the causes and consequences of the accident.
The smoldering wreckage lay in a hilly, wooded area about 40 kilometers from the departure airstrip. Witnesses interviewed by the Associated Press reported hearing a loud explosion.
Upon arrival, rescuers found unrecognizable human remains. The plane had burst into flames on impact, leaving only charred debris. Stephen Orinde, Kwale County Commissioner, stated that “we still need to determine their nationalities, but they were all foreign tourists heading to the Masai Mara National Reserve.”
The Kenyan coastal region was experiencing heavy rainfall at the time of the crash. Weather conditions can make navigation difficult for small aircraft in mountainous areas.
Aviation experts note that Kwale’s rugged terrain and early-morning mist sometimes pose challenges for light aircraft. The Cessna Caravan, however, is known to be a reliable model, widely used across East Africa for tourist routes.
Mombasa Air Safari has activated its emergency response team. “We are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities who have begun their investigation. Our current priority is to provide all possible support to the affected families,” said John Cleave. The company has set up a dedicated family assistance center offering psychological counseling, logistical coordination, and material aid to the victims’ relatives.
The Hungarian and German nationalities of the victims have been confirmed by Mombasa Air Safari. The foreign ministries concerned are expected to contact the families in the coming hours.
The technical investigation will determine whether mechanical, meteorological, or human factors caused the tragedy. The black boxes, if the aircraft was equipped with them, will provide crucial information about the flight’s final moments.
