10 KDF Soldiers Dead in Kajiado Plane Crash

The scene where a KDF chopper crashed on Thursday, June 24, in Kajiado
The scene where a KDF chopper crashed on Thursday, June 24, in Kajiado

A military chopper with passengers on board has crashed and burst into flames in Kajiado County on Thursday, June 24, leaving 10 soldiers dead and 13 others injured.

According to a statement by the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), the plane is an Mi 171e Air Force Helicopter and crashed at around 9 am.

"It was on a training mission and crash-landed at the Ol Tepesi area in Ngong, Kajiado County. Rescue missions are underway," reads the statement in part.

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KDF added that all passengers on board the plane had been accounted for and moved to safety.

"The injured were airlifted and are at the Defense Forces Memorial Hospital, Nairobi. 

"Regrettably, following the crash, we suffered fatalities. The process of communicating with the families to relay the information and KDF condolences are underway," reads the statement in part.

KDF did not, however, reveal the number of passengers who had succumbed to the injuries.

Aircraft accident investigators are at the crash site to establish the cause of the accident.

The accident took place just days after a plane headed to Nairobi from Ukunda crashed at the Tsavo East National Park.

The pilot tried to make an emergency landing after the plane developed mechanical challenges mid-air.

The police reported that two of the plane occupants escaped unhurt.

A police officer and an unidentified on-looker watch as the two survivors salvage items from the crashed aircraft.
A Police Officer and an Unidentified On-Looker Watch as Two Survivors Salvage Items From the Crashed Aircraft
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