Aircraft Crash in Malindi Claims Lives of Passengers and Two Motorcyclists

A light aircraft crash-landed and caught fire on Friday afternoon in the Kwachocha area of Malindi along the Malindi-Mombasa Highway, resulting in no survivors from the incident.

Videos captured during the event show the aircraft engulfed in flames, with initial reports indicating that two individuals on a motorcycle were among the victims. As the plane attempted to land, it struck the motorcycle riders, causing fatal injuries.

Witnesses reported finding the man lying face down and the woman on her back with noticeable head injuries near their wrecked motorcycle. The impact of the crash extended beyond the immediate casualties, affecting a nearby hotel under construction and igniting other structures along the highway.

First responders, including firefighters and ambulance services, arrived promptly to control the blaze and address the ensuing chaos. The scene attracted hundreds of local residents, leading to significant traffic disruptions on the busy highway.

Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and the number of passengers aboard the aircraft. This incident is part of a broader trend of aviation accidents in Kenya, raising ongoing concerns regarding safety protocols and regulatory oversight within the aviation sector.

Earlier incidents, such as the April crash that claimed the lives of Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla and nine military officers, along with a September mishap in Migori that fortunately resulted in no injuries, have further heightened these concerns.