Twelve Dead as Light Aircraft Crashes Near Kenya’s Coast

Nairobi, Oct 2025 : At least 12 people were killed early Tuesday when a light aircraft crashed in Kenya’s coastal county of Kwale, authorities confirmed.

According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the aircraft, registered as 5Y-CCA, was en route from Diani to Kichwa Tembo in the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve when it went down.

“The aircraft had 12 persons on board. Government agencies are already on site to determine the cause of the accident and assess its impact,” the KCAA said in an official statement.

Police officials reported that all those aboard—believed to be tourists heading to the Maasai Mara—died in the crash. The victims’ identities have not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.

The ill-fated plane belonged to an airline that operates regular flights between Mombasa and other major tourist destinations across Kenya.

Aviation experts noted that such accidents, though infrequent, are not unheard of in the region due to challenging hilly terrain and unpredictable weather conditions near the coast.

Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation to determine the cause of the crash, while recovery operations continue at the site.