Nationalities of those who perished in Kwale plane crash revealed
By Kenneth Mwenda, October 28, 2025Fresh details have emerged following the Tuesday morning crash of a Mombasa Air Safari aircraft in Kwale County that left all 11 people on board dead.
In a statement on Tuesday evening, October 28, 2025, Mombasa Air Safari Limited confirmed that the Cessna 208, registration 5Y-CCA, was operating a scheduled flight from Diani Airport to Kichwa Tembo in the Maasai Mara when it went down.
The company said the plane had 10 passengers – eight Hungarians, two Germans – and one Kenyan crew member, the captain.
“We are profoundly saddened to report that, according to preliminary information, there were 10 passengers (8 Hungarians and 2 Germans) and 1 Kenyan crew member (the captain) on board. Sadly, there are no survivors,” said the company’s chairman, John M. Cleave.
“Our hearts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragic event.”
Rescue teams comb crash site
The crash occurred at around 8:30 am local time in Matuga, Kwale County.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said it received reports of the incident at 0530Z and immediately dispatched emergency response teams to the scene.
Watch: KCAA issues statement after Kwale plane crash
“KCAA wishes to confirm that an aircraft, registration number 5Y-CCA, on its way from Diani to Kichwa Tembo, crashed at 0530Z,” the authority said in a statement.
“Government agencies are already on site to establish the cause of the accident and its impact.”
Mombasa Air Safari said it had activated its emergency response plan and was working closely with the authorities investigating the crash.
The airline has set up a Family Assistance Team to provide counselling, logistical help, and other support to the affected families.
By Tuesday afternoon, rescue and recovery operations were ongoing at the crash site. Police, Kenya Red Cross officials, and aviation investigators had cordoned off the area as they searched for evidence to determine what caused the accident.
The Diani–Kichwa Tembo route is one of Kenya’s most popular air links, connecting the coastal tourist hub with the Maasai Mara National Reserve. It is commonly used by both domestic and international tourists.
This tragedy adds to growing concerns about air safety on local routes, where smaller aircraft operate frequent charter and safari flights.
Aviation authorities have faced calls to tighten oversight and ensure operators maintain the highest safety standards.
Mombasa Air Safari said it will issue further updates as investigations continue and in coordination with the authorities.