A small plane headed for Kenya’s world-famous Maasai Mara National Park crashed early Tuesday.
All 11 people on board — most of them foreign tourists — were killed.
The aircraft, operated by Mombasa Air Safari, took off from the coastal resort town of Diani.
It went down near Kichwa Tembo airstrip around 5:30 a.m. local time.
“Sadly, there are no survivors,” confirmed the airline’s chairman, John Cleave.
The victims included eight Hungarians, two Germans, and a Kenyan pilot.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority initially reported 12 people aboard, but officials later clarified the number.
Investigators Probe Crash Site
Teams from multiple agencies rushed to the crash site, a stretch of dense forest.
Rain-soaked rescuers picked through charred debris and twisted metal.
Mombasa Air Safari said it had “activated our emergency response team” and was fully cooperating with authorities.
“Our hearts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragic event,” the company said.
The Maasai Mara, one of Africa’s premier safari destinations, attracts thousands of tourists every year for its dramatic landscapes and wildlife.
Investigators are now working to determine what brought down the plane.
It’s a grim reminder that even the most breathtaking journeys can turn devastating in seconds.
