Nairobi:  A small aircraft carrying 12 people, including several foreign tourists, crashed in Kenya’s coastal region on Tuesday, with authorities fearing there are no survivors.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed that the plane went down in Kwale County shortly after taking off from Diani Airstrip. The aircraft was en route to Kichwa Tembo, a popular safari destination in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

According to officials, the plane, registered as 5Y-CCA, lost contact with air traffic control not long after departure. Search and rescue teams located the wreckage in a hilly and forested area about 40 kilometers from Diani. Witnesses said the aircraft burst into flames on impact, leaving little chance of survival.

Rescue teams, including members of the Kenya Red Cross and local authorities, were dispatched to the crash site. Photographs from the scene showed charred debris scattered across dense vegetation. Human remains were recovered, but authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of fatalities.

Most of the passengers were believed to be tourists visiting Kenya’s renowned wildlife parks, although officials have not yet released their nationalities. The KCAA said investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash, while the Kenya Wildlife Service and local police are assisting in recovery efforts.

Preliminary information suggests the plane was privately operated, catering to tourists flying between coastal resorts and the Maasai Mara. Weather conditions in the region were reported to be normal at the time of the incident, though investigators will examine whether terrain or mechanical failure played a role.

This tragedy is one of the deadliest light aircraft accidents in Kenya in recent years. The government has expressed condolences to the victims’ families, promising a thorough investigation into the incident.

Authorities are expected to release further updates once the identification of the victims and details about the aircraft operator are completed.