A Cessna 172 aircraft with registration number 5Y-CDC, operated by a private company, tragically crashed on Friday afternoon near Royal Plaza in the Kwa-Chocha area of Malindi. The crash claimed the lives of at least three people.
According to reports from the scene, the aircraft, en route to Wilson Airport, crashed around 2:50 PM. Videos released show the plane engulfed in flames as firefighters worked tirelessly to bring the fire under control.
In a statement following the incident, it was confirmed that the flight crew onboard escaped unharmed, with no injuries reported. However, the bodies of three individuals were found near the crash site, close to the aircraft wreckage along the roadside.
Witnesses reported that the plane crashed into a parking area near an unopened hotel where motorcycles were stationed. Footage from the scene showed parts of nearby buildings along the highway ablaze and a motorcycle lying overturned on the ground.
Emergency responders, including fire and ambulance teams, were dispatched swiftly to the scene. Despite their rapid efforts, the accident caused significant traffic congestion on the busy highway near the crash site.
Parallels with Past Accidents
While the cause of the crash and the exact number of passengers onboard are yet to be confirmed, this marks the fourth plane crash reported in Kenya within the past year:
- April 2023: A tragic crash claimed the lives of 10 people, including Chief of Defense Forces General Francis Ogolla.
- September 2023: A charter flight crash in Migori fortunately resulted in no fatalities.
- March 2023: A Cessna 172M training aircraft collided mid-air with a De Havilland Canada Dash 8 over Nairobi National Park. The Dash 8 landed safely, but two aboard the Cessna perished.
Investigation Underway
No official statement has yet been made regarding the cause of the Malindi crash. Details surrounding the aircraft’s condition and the sequence of events leading to the accident will emerge as expert investigations proceed.
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