Kwale, Kenya — A small aircraft carrying foreign tourists crashed early Tuesday in Kenya’s coastal county of Kwale while en route to the famed Maasai Mara National Reserve, leaving all 12 people on board feared dead, according to officials.

The Cessna Caravan-type plane went down shortly after takeoff from Diani airstrip, crashing into a hilly and forested area about 40 kilometers (25 miles) away. Witnesses described hearing a loud explosion moments before discovering the aircraft engulfed in flames.

Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde confirmed that all the passengers were foreign tourists, though their nationalities have not yet been released. “Authorities are still working to identify the victims and notify their families,” he told the Associated Press (AP).

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) reported that the aircraft burst into flames on impact, leaving a charred wreckage at the scene. Officials said the exact number of passengers and crew was still being verified as part of the ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash.

The airline, Mombasa Air Safari, which operated the ill-fated flight, stated that it is working closely with KCAA to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. “We are cooperating fully with authorities and will provide updates through official channels,” the company said in a statement.

Local residents who rushed to the crash site told reporters they were met with horrific scenes. “We heard a loud bang and when we arrived, everything was burning — it was unrecognizable,” one witness told AP.

The Maasai Mara National Reserve—a top global safari destination famed for its spectacular wildebeest migration—attracts thousands of visitors each year. This tragic accident has cast a shadow over Kenya’s tourism sector, which is currently in peak season.

Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.

Credit: Associated Press (AP)