Two dead, many escaped as planes collide in Nairobi

Oluwasegun SanusiMarch 5, 20241 Mins read1k

Tragedy struck at Nairobi National Park this morning as two planes collided mid-air, resulting in the loss of at least two lives while 44 others escaped unscathed.

The incident involved a Dash 8 aircraft owned by Safari Link and a Cessna plane on a training session.

The Dash 8, bound for Diani with 44 passengers and crew onboard, had taken off from Wilson Airport. Meanwhile, the Cessna aircraft, carrying two individuals, crashed within Nairobi National Park.

Confirming the incident, officials revealed that both planes had departed from Wilson Airport before the collision occurred.

Despite the severity of the accident, the Dash 8 managed to safely return to Wilson Airport, averting further casualties.

Safarilink Aviation, the operator of the Dash 8, issued a statement addressing the incident and confirmed the safety of their passengers and crew.

“Safarilink Aviation wishes to report that this morning at 9:45 Local Time our flight number 053 with 39 passengers and 5 crew on board headed to Diani experienced a loud bang soon after take-off,” the statement read.

The operator further elaborated, “The crew decided to immediately turn back to Nairobi-Wilson Airport for further inspection and assessment and landed safely. There were no casualties reported.” Safarilink Aviation assured that all necessary agencies had been notified and an investigation into the incident was underway.

Source: Africanews