At least eleven people, including ten foreign tourists, were killed early Tuesday when a Mombasa Air Safari plane crashed in Kwale County, Kenya, while heading to the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Authorities identified the victims as eight Hungarian nationals, two Germans, and a Kenyan pilot. The Cessna Caravan aircraft reportedly crashed into a hilly, forested area about 40 kilometres from Diani airstrip, erupting into flames on impact.

Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde confirmed the crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. local time during heavy rainfall. He added that the aircraft was completely destroyed, leaving no survivors.

According to Mombasa Air Safari, the pilot lost communication shortly after takeoff. Air traffic control at Diani airstrip attempted to reach the flight for about 30 minutes before rescuers located the burning wreckage.

Eyewitnesses said they heard a loud explosion and rushed to the crash site, where they found the aircraft engulfed in flames and the victims’ remains unrecognisable.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) initially said twelve people were on board but later confirmed eleven fatalities. Investigators have since launched a full probe into the cause of the disaster.

The ill-fated flight was en route to the Maasai Mara, one of Kenya’s most popular safari destinations, renowned for its annual wildebeest migration from Tanzania’s Serengeti. Diani, where the plane took off, is a scenic coastal town known for its pristine beaches.

The tragedy comes as Kenya continues to face scrutiny over aviation safety. A 2018 audit by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rated the country below the global average in accident investigation capabilities.

As investigations continue, the incident has cast a pall over Kenya’s tourism sector, a vital part of its economy that attracts thousands of visitors each year.