AMREF chopper crashes in Mwihoko, Nairobi
AMREF Flying Doctors says its immediate focus is on the safety and well-being of those on board and providing full support to their families and colleagues
A light aircraft belonging to AMREF Flying Doctors was on Thursday involved in a fatal accident in the Dagama area of Mwihoko, Nairobi.
In a statement, AMREF Flying Doctors CEO & Accountable Manager Stephen Gitau confirmed the 2.17 pm fatal accident, revealing that the Cesna Citation XLS aircraft, registration 5Y-FDM, was en-route to Hargesia, Somalia.
“At this time, we are co-operating fully with the relevant aviation authorities and emergency response teams to find the facts surrounding the situation. Our immediate focus is on the safety and well-being of those on board and providing full support to their families and colleagues. We are also offering all necessary assistance to the authorities as investigations continue,” Gitau added.
He, however, did not reveal how many people were on board or whether there were any fatalities, stating that further information will be provided as soon as it is confirmed.
“We respectively ask for your patience and understanding as we manage this evolving situation with care and accuracy,” Gitau added.
Eyewitnesses said that the chopper, which was flying over the area plunged into buildings and hit an electricity line before bursting into flames.
Firefighters from Kiambu County Fire and Rescue Brigade rushed to the scene and extinguished the fire as military and police officers moved in to secure it as locals thronged the area following the accident.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that there were four passengers on board, all of whom perished. Two people who were in the house that the chopper plunged into were also reported to have been killed and two other injured.
The aircraft had left Wilson Airport in Nairobi.
