A light aircraft crashed and burst into flames on the Malindi-Mombasa Highway near Kenya’s coastal town of Malindi on Friday afternoon, killing all three people onboard, according to officials.
Nation TV reported that the crash occurred after the plane experienced a technical malfunction moments before attempting an emergency landing. Eyewitnesses said the aircraft veered off course and crashed on the shoulder of the busy highway.
Flames engulfed the wreckage shortly after impact, prompting emergency responders to arrive at the scene and extinguish the fire.
A widely circulated video shows the burning remains of the plane surrounded by onlookers, with flames and smoke rising into the sky. Traffic along the highway was heavily disrupted, and authorities have urged motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area as investigations continue.
Malindi, located about 580 kilometers southeast of Nairobi along Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline, is a renowned destination for tourism and trade. The incident has brought attention to safety concerns in the region.
Officials are continuing their investigation to determine the cause of the fatal crash.