Six people have been confirmed dead following the crash of a light aircraft operated by Amref Flying Doctors in the Githurai area of Nairobi, Kenya. The Cessna plane departed from Wilson Airport on Thursday afternoon, bound for Hargeisa, Somalia. Tragically, the aircraft lost radio and radar contact just three minutes into its flight and subsequently crashed into a residential building, bursting into flames.
Kiambu County Commissioner Henry Wafula reported that among the deceased are two doctors, a nurse, and the pilot, along with two casualties from the ground. Two individuals have sustained serious injuries, warranting immediate medical attention. Aviation authorities have dispatched investigators to the crash site to determine the cause of the disaster.
Amref Flying Doctors CEO, Stephen Gitau, assured the public that the organization is fully cooperating with aviation authorities and emergency services to gather facts surrounding this tragic incident. The Kenya Defence Forces and the National Police Service have been deployed at the scene to oversee search and recovery operations.
Eyewitness Patricia Kombo recounted the shocking moment of the crash, detailing how she and her friends were heading to Githurai when they witnessed a bright flash followed by a loud bang and smoke. In the chaos that ensued, she described the sight of panic-stricken individuals fleeing the scene.
This tragic event comes on the heels of another incident in central Kenya, where a bus and train collision near Naivasha resulted in at least four fatalities, further underscoring concerns regarding transportation safety in the region.
