An air ambulance has crashed into a residential area near the Kenyan capital Nairobi, killing at least six people and injuring two others. The mid-size jet, operated by Amref Flying Doctors, took off from Wilson Airport at 2:17pm local time on Thursday and was heading to Somaliland when it went down in Ruiru, Kiambu County, shortly after 3:00pm.
Kiambu County Commissioner Henry Wafula said four people on board, including the pilot, died in the crash, while two others were killed when the aircraft struck their home. Two people on the ground were seriously injured. Witnesses said the plane caught fire while still in the air before hurtling into the small community.
Also Read: African Leaders Seek Global Taxes For Climate Change At Nairobi Summit
Rescue teams from the Kenya Red Cross and other first responders worked through the wreckage as crowds gathered at the scene. Residents described buildings shaking as the plane passed overhead, followed by the sound of an explosion. Local woman Margaret Wairimu said her home was destroyed but her children were not inside at the time.
Amref Flying Doctors CEO Stephen Gitau confirmed that one of the organisation’s Cessna Citation XLS aircraft was involved in the accident. He said the company was focusing on the safety and well-being of those affected and was cooperating fully with aviation authorities to establish the cause of the crash.
Leave feedback about this
You must be logged in to post a comment.