Kenya's Medical Plane Crash Claims Six Lives

A small medical plane operated by charity Amref Flying Doctors crashed in Nairobi, claiming the lives of six individuals, including medical personnel and bystanders. The Cessna aircraft lost contact shortly after takeoff, leading to a fiery incident that devastated a residential area.

Six people have tragically lost their lives in a plane crash involving a small medical aircraft belonging to Amref Flying Doctors in Nairobi, Kenya's capital. The incident occurred when the Cessna, which was ferrying medical personnel, took off from Wilson Airport bound for Hargeisa, Somalia. Shortly after takeoff, the plane lost both radio and radar communication with air traffic control, crashing into a residential building in the Githurai vicinity.

According to Kiambu County Commissioner Henry Wafula, four casualties included a pilot, doctors, and nurses aboard the aircraft. Additionally, two people on the ground died in the disaster, while two others sustained critical injuries. Emergency responders and investigators, including the Kenya Defence Forces and National Police Service, have been deployed to the crash site.

Eyewitness Patricia Kombo recounted the harrowing moment, describing a loud bang followed by a flash and billowing smoke. "We heard people screaming and running," she said, noting that she saw the crater left by the crash. In a simultaneous incident, a collision between a train and a bus near Naivasha resulted in at least four fatalities, illustrating a tragic day for Kenya's transportation safety records. Investigation teams continue to work to determine the causes behind these unfortunate events.