Kenya Plane Crash: Tourists, Crew Feared Dead in Fiery Accident

At least 12 people, including foreign tourists and crew members, are feared dead after a light aircraft operated by Mombasa Air Safari crashed and burst into flames shortly after takeoff in Kenya’s coastal region on Tuesday, October 29, 2025, around 10:15 a.m. local time.

The ill-fated plane, which departed from Diani Airstrip in Kwale County en route to the world-famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve, went down in a remote forest area about 40 kilometres inland. Witnesses said they heard a loud explosion moments after the aircraft disappeared from view.

Local residents and emergency responders rushed to the crash site, but the wreckage was already engulfed in flames. “We heard a heavy sound and saw smoke rising from the forest. By the time we got there, the plane was burning,” one eyewitness said.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed that all 12 occupants—10 passengers and two crew members—were aboard the plane at the time of the crash. Although officials have yet to release the victims’ identities, authorities said most of the passengers were international tourists heading for safari expeditions.

Kwale County Commissioner, Stephen Orinde, stated that recovery efforts were ongoing while the Kenya Police and Kenya Red Cross had cordoned off the area. “We are working closely with aviation experts and local communities to recover the remains and determine the cause of the accident,” he said.

In a statement, Mombasa Air Safari expressed sadness over the tragedy and assured that it is cooperating fully with investigators. The airline, known for charter flights to popular tourist destinations in Kenya, pledged to support families of the victims.

The KCAA and Kenya Transport Safety Authority (KTSA) have launched a joint investigation to uncover the cause of the crash, which comes amid increased tourist traffic to Kenya’s wildlife reserves.