At least 12 people are feared dead after a light aircraft crashed in Kwale County, Kenya on Tuesday morning. The plane, which was reportedly carrying tourists, crashed shortly after taking off from Diani, en route to Kichwa Tembo in the Maasai Mara.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed the accident. The aircraft was identified with registration number 5Y-CCA. The crash occurred at around 5:30 am (0530Z), according to the authority’s statement. According to a report from Kenya Times, none of the 12 people on board have been rescued.

In a press release titled “Aircraft Accident,” dated October 28, 2025, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed that “an aircraft with registration number 5Y-CCA, en route from Diani to Kichwa Tembo, crashed at 0530Z. The aircraft had 12 persons on board. Government agencies are already on site to establish the cause of the accident and its impact.”

12 feared dead as plane crashes in Kenya

While the exact cause of the crash is yet to be determined, sources familiar with the situation told local channels that poor visibility caused by unfavorable weather conditions could be a possible reason behind the tragedy. Since morning, the coastal region had been covered in fog and low clouds, which may have caused the pilot to lose control, reports Kenyans.co.ke.

According to the police, all 12 passengers were reportedly tourists. In a statement, KCAA Director Emile N. Rao said that government agencies had already arrived at the site to inspect and investigate the exact cause of the accident.

In the pictures that surfaced online, rescue efforts could be seen underway but appeared to be delayed or hindered by the rainy conditions. The plane, on the other hand, was seen engulfed in flames and completely destroyed. The tourist aircraft was headed to the Maasai Mara and was expected to land at around 9 am.

This year has been particularly tragic for the country. Earlier in June, a Kenya Air Force aircraft crashed in the Ndavaya area of Kwale County. According to Kenya Times, two Air Force officers were on board when the incident occurred, County Commissioner Stephen Orinde confirmed. The cause of the crash remained unclear, but authorities launched investigations to determine the cause.