Nairobi, Kenya — A tragic aviation accident has claimed the lives of at least six people after a Cessna Citation 560 aircraft operated by AMREF Flying Doctors crashed shortly after takeoff from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport on Thursday afternoon.
According to a statement released by AMREF, the aircraft was en route to Hargeisa, the capital of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, on a critical medical evacuation mission to retrieve a seriously ill child for emergency treatment.
The crash resulted in the deaths of four crew members aboard the aircraft and two civilians on the ground. Eyewitnesses reported the plane plummeted into a residential area just minutes after takeoff, erupting into flames and causing damage to nearby buildings.
Emergency responders from the Kenya Red Cross and Nairobi County’s disaster response units arrived at the scene within minutes, working to extinguish the fire and recover the bodies. Authorities confirmed that no survivors were found aboard the jet.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has launched an immediate investigation into the cause of the crash, with support from aviation experts and local law enforcement. Preliminary reports suggest the jet may have experienced engine failure or a technical malfunction, though officials caution against speculation until a full probe is completed.
Somaliland’s Ministry of Health released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, noting that the child awaiting evacuation in Hargeisa was in critical condition and had no access to the specialized care required locally.
“This was a mission of compassion and urgency, and we mourn the loss of the brave souls who perished while trying to save a life,” the statement read.
AMREF Flying Doctors, renowned across East Africa for their air ambulance services, said they are “devastated” by the loss of their team members and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
The identities of the deceased have not been publicly released, pending notification of next of kin.
This incident casts a somber shadow over efforts to improve access to emergency healthcare in remote parts of the Horn of Africa. It also highlights the persistent challenges in cross-border medical logistics for regions like Somaliland, which lack international recognition and sufficient health infrastructure.
Further updates will be provided as investigations progress.