‘No survivors’ after tourist plane crashes en route to Kenya safari reserve

Officials are at the scene investigating the cause of the crash

Several people have died after a small aircraft crashed while flying to a world-famous safari park in Kenya, officials have confirmed.

The incident occurred early on Tuesday as the small aircraft flew to the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

The crash occurred in a hilly, forested area, approximately 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Diani airstrip at 5.30am local time (2.30am GMT)

Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde told The Associated Press that operations were ongoing at the site.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority originally shared that 12 people were inside the plane, but a preliminary report stated there were 10 passengers on board, made up of eight Hungarians and two Germans.

One Kenyan crew member, believed to be the captain, was also on board.

In a statement, Kenyan airline Mombasa Air Safari said: "Sadly, there are no survivors (...) We are profoundly saddened to report that, according to preliminary information, there were 10 passengers being 8 Hungarians and 2 Germans and 1 Kenyan crew member (the Captain) on board".

Government agencies are at the scene trying to establish the cause of the accident.

Maasai Mara is a popular tourist destination, known for its annual wildebeest migration.