Light Aircraft Crashes in Nairobi Neighborhood, At Least One Dead

 

Tragedy struck in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, on Thursday when a light aircraft crashed into the Githurai suburb, a densely populated area in the city’s northeast. The aircraft, a Cessna operated by AMREF Flying Doctors, was headed to Hargeisa, the capital of the breakaway Somaliland region in Somalia. According to AMREF, the plane was carrying four passengers at the time of the crash. Local media, including Citizen TV, reported that the plane went down directly into residential buildings, causing panic and a large blaze. One witness described hearing a loud noise followed by a fireball and debris scattered throughout the area. Firefighters responded quickly and were seen working to contain the fire in videos shared online. Initial reports confirm at least one death, though a police source suggested there may be at least two fatalities.

The cause of the crash has yet to be determined, and investigations are expected to follow as authorities secure the scene and assess the damage. Crashes involving light aircraft are not uncommon in East Africa, where small planes are often used for medical emergencies, travel, and military operations. This tragic incident comes just over a year after a separate air disaster in Kenya. In April of the previous year, the country’s military chief and nine others were killed in a helicopter crash shortly after takeoff. These frequent accidents have raised concerns about the safety of smaller aircraft operating in the region. As for the latest crash, it has reignited public attention on aviation safety standards and emergency response capabilities in Nairobi. The full impact of the crash, including the condition of the four passengers onboard and any possible injuries or fatalities on the ground, is still being confirmed by officials.

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