Light aircraft crashes in Kenya's capital killing six people
The Cessna plane, run by AMREF Flying Doctors, came down as it was flying to Hargeisa, the capital of Somalia's breakaway territory of Somaliland, the charity said.
Kiambu County Commissioner Henry Wafula said the four people on board and two people on the ground were killed.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said the plane took off from Wilson Airport at 2.14pm and lost contact with air traffic control three minutes later.
'We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident involving an air ambulance mission,' KCAA said in a statement.
One witness, who asked not to be named, told Reuters she heard a loud sound, then saw a fireball and debris scattered over the neighbourhood.
Unverified videos shared on social media showed firefighters trying to douse burning debris inside what appeared to be a residential compound.
Crashes involving light aircraft are relatively common in eastern Africa.
In April last year, Kenya's military chief was among 10 people killed when their military helicopter crashed shortly after take-off.
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TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Light aircraft crashes in Kenya's capital killing six people
A small plane carrying medical staff crashed in a densely-populated neighbourhood in Kenya's capital on Thursday afternoon, killing six people, local authorities said. The Cessna plane, run by AMREF Flying Doctors, came down as it was flying to Hargeisa, the capital of Somalia's breakaway territory of Somaliland, the charity said. Kiambu County Commissioner Henry Wafula said the four people on board and two people on the ground were killed. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said the plane took off from Wilson Airport at 2.14pm and lost contact with air traffic control three minutes later. 'We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident involving an air ambulance mission,' KCAA said in a statement. One witness, who asked not to be named, told Reuters she heard a loud sound, then saw a fireball and debris scattered over the neighbourhood. Unverified videos shared on social media showed firefighters trying to douse burning debris inside what appeared to be a residential compound. Crashes involving light aircraft are relatively common in eastern Africa. In April last year, Kenya's military chief was among 10 people killed when their military helicopter crashed shortly after take-off.
Eyewitness News
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Medical plane crashes near Nairobi, killing six: official
NAIROBI - A medical light aircraft crashed into a small residential block near the Kenyan capital Nairobi, killing at least six people and injuring two seriously, a local official said Thursday. The plane took off from Nairobi's Wilson airport at 2:17 pm local time (1100 GMT) and was en route to Somaliland when it came down in Ruiru, Kiambu County, shortly after 3:00 pm (1200 GMT). "We have lost four people, including the pilot... it was all fatal," said Kiambu County commissioner Henry Wafula. "The house that it landed on... two people again also died," he said, adding that two people on the ground had been "seriously injured". Images from AFP on the scene showed huge crowds had gathered, as rescuers and first responders picked through the scattered debris. "The plane started burning while in the air," resident Tasha Wanjira told AFP, before it hurtled down into the small community. Another resident, Irene Wangui, described how the "plane passed by our building shaking it", and said when the aircraft came down "there were body parts littered all over". As dusk fell, hundreds remained to watch the rescue workers -- with residents sobbing as they were comforted by neighbours. "I have lost everything, thank God my children were not around," Margaret Wairimu told AFP, weeping over her destroyed home. Amref Flying Doctors CEO Stephen Gitau confirmed one of their aeroplanes, a Cessna Citation XLS, had been "involved in a fatal accident today", but did not provide any further details. Gitau said the company was focusing on "the safety and well-being of those on board" and said that further information would be provided "as it is confirmed". Based in Nairobi, Amref was founded in 1957 as the Flying Doctors of East Africa.
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