A light aircraft operated by charity organization Amref Flying Doctors crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in a horrific loss of life.
Tragic Plane Crash Claims Six Lives in Nairobi
Tragic Plane Crash Claims Six Lives in Nairobi
A small medical plane crash in Kenya leaves families grieving in Nairobi.
Six individuals lost their lives when a Cessna plane, owned by the medical charity Amref Flying Doctors, crashed in the Githurai neighborhood of Nairobi shortly after departing from Wilson Airport on Thursday afternoon. The aircraft was headed for Hargeisa, Somalia, when it reportedly lost contact with air traffic control. Four occupants, consisting of medical personnel and the pilot, were killed in the incident, along with two bystanders on the ground. Local officials reported that two others sustained serious injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Henry Wafula, the Kiambu County Commissioner, confirmed the casualties and stated that investigators have been dispatched to the crash site to determine the cause of the tragic incident. According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, the plane lost both radio and radar contact just three minutes after takeoff.
Stephen Gitau, CEO of Amref Flying Doctors, expressed the organization's commitment to cooperating with aviation authorities and emergency responders to uncover details surrounding the crash. Meanwhile, the Kenya Defence Forces and the National Police Service were deployed to assist in search and recovery operations.
Eyewitness Patricia Kombo recounted her experience, describing a shocking loud bang followed by a red flash, which quickly turned to smoke as she and her friends fled the area. "Before I could take my phone to record the flash was gone and smoke was billowing. We then heard people screaming and running," she stated.
In a separate incident that same day, a deadly collision between a train and a bus occurred at a railway crossing near Naivasha, resulting in at least four fatalities, as reported by Red Cross officials. The bus, operated by the Kenya Pipeline Company, was transporting staff from one of its training centers.
As both incidents unfold, ongoing investigations seek to provide clarity and answers regarding these tragic accidents affecting communities in Kenya.
Henry Wafula, the Kiambu County Commissioner, confirmed the casualties and stated that investigators have been dispatched to the crash site to determine the cause of the tragic incident. According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, the plane lost both radio and radar contact just three minutes after takeoff.
Stephen Gitau, CEO of Amref Flying Doctors, expressed the organization's commitment to cooperating with aviation authorities and emergency responders to uncover details surrounding the crash. Meanwhile, the Kenya Defence Forces and the National Police Service were deployed to assist in search and recovery operations.
Eyewitness Patricia Kombo recounted her experience, describing a shocking loud bang followed by a red flash, which quickly turned to smoke as she and her friends fled the area. "Before I could take my phone to record the flash was gone and smoke was billowing. We then heard people screaming and running," she stated.
In a separate incident that same day, a deadly collision between a train and a bus occurred at a railway crossing near Naivasha, resulting in at least four fatalities, as reported by Red Cross officials. The bus, operated by the Kenya Pipeline Company, was transporting staff from one of its training centers.
As both incidents unfold, ongoing investigations seek to provide clarity and answers regarding these tragic accidents affecting communities in Kenya.
