At least 12 people are feared dead after a light aircraft crashed in the Tsimba Golini area of Kwale County on Tuesday morning.

The plane, reportedly carrying tourists, had departed from Diani and was en route to Kichwa Tembo when it went down around 8.30am (local time).

“Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) wishes to confirm that an aircraft registration number 5Y-CCA, on its way from Diani to Kichwa Tembo, crashed at 0530Z,” the agency said in a statement, as per news portal Kenyans.

Police and emergency services quickly arrived at the scene, where footage showed the aircraft engulfed in flames and debris scattered across the area.

Authorities disclosed that, the cause of the crash remains unclear, though poor visibility and unfavorable weather conditions are suspected factors. The airline involved operates flights connecting Mombasa with major tourist destinations across Kenya, including the Maasai Mara and Nairobi.