Military Chopper Crashes Into Building in Mwihoko, Kenya, Several Feared Dead – A light aircraft belonging to the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) has crashed into buildings and burst into flames in the Dagama area of Mwihoko, Kiambu County.
Reports indicate that the incident occurred on Thursday afternoon while the aircraft was flying over the area. Following the incident, residents quickly rushed to the scene and began rescue efforts.
While the exact number of casualties is yet to be established, reports further revealed that the aircraft was carrying four passengers when it crashed.
Videos and images widely shared on the internet also showed individuals believed to be military officials helping to put out the flames, which had already consumed a significant part of the aircraft.
During the crash, the impact destroyed one of the buildings in the area that had yet to be occupied, as well as an electricity line, exacerbating the extent of the damage.
The exact cause of the crash is yet to be established, with witness accounts indicating that several casualties had been retrieved from the scene.
At the time of reporting this incident, firefighters from Ruiru town in Kiambu County had already arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire.
Eyewitnesses said they saw the aircraft flying low before it crashed to the ground with a bang and immediately burst into flames.
Meanwhile, no relevant government institution, including the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) or the National Police Service, has released an official statement regarding the matter.
The latest development adds to the number of aircraft accidents witnessed in the country since the year began. In a similar incident in January this year, three people died while three others were injured after an aircraft crash-landed in the Chocha area of Malindi town.
The aircraft had just taken off from Malindi Airport when it developed mechanical problems. However, attempts by the pilot to land safely proved futile, and the plane crashed.
Among those killed in the crash were a boda boda rider, his passenger, and a pedestrian who was using the Malindi-Mombasa highway.