Tragic plane crash claims multiple Hungarian lives on paradisiacal journey – videos, updated

Eight Hungarian tourists lost their lives in a tragic plane crash in Kenya today early morning while travelling from the stunning seashore to a national park.

Diani, Kenya, is the dream destination for every traveller, especially those fleeing the cold, windy, and rainy autumn weather of Hungary. Sandy beaches, turquoise ocean, luxury hotels, and restaurants await. It was here that eight Hungarian tourists arrived, only to tragically lose their lives in a plane crash before dawn as they headed towards one of Kenya’s most stunning national parks. Strangely, Kenyan authorities have provided conflicting information on the exact number of people on board.

A paradise journey to the heart of Africa

Diani lies just 30 kilometres from Mombasa, Kenya’s second-largest city by the Indian Ocean. It offers everything needed for a heavenly holiday: an azure ocean, pleasant weather year-round, sandy shores, luxury hotels and eateries, and entertainment venues to suit every taste.

These eight Hungarian tourists had recently arrived at this tropical haven. However, according to AP’s local correspondent, in the early hours of the morning, the aircraft crashed just 40 kilometres away, en route to the Maasai Mara wildlife reserve. This reserve is famed for encounters with lions, elephants, leopards, rhinoceroses, buffaloes, gnus and zebras.

Visitors are also fortunate enough to witness the spectacular great migration of herbivores in October, as well as their dramatic river crossings, stirring up the river’s lurking predators such as crocodiles and hippos. It is also a chance to meet the famous maszájok, gaining insights into their lifestyle and traditions.

A tragic plane crash: no Hungarian tourists survived

It is presumed that the Hungarian and German tourists planned to visit the reserve, but disaster struck their aircraft. AP reports strong rain in the Diani area at the time, yet the plane still took off. The pilot did not communicate with air traffic control, which lost contact with the craft for nearly half an hour.

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Local police report that at 5:30 AM local time, the plane crashed into a hilly, wooded area and immediately caught fire. Locals heard a massive explosion, but rescuers found only charred, unrecognisable remains. Sadly, there were no survivors.

Here is the AP news agency’s video of the wreckage:

A curious discrepancy surrounds the number onboard, with the Kenyan civil aviation authority stating there were 12 people on the Cessna-Caravan aircraft. Investigations into the cause of this tragedy are ongoing.

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The flight route of the plane on the map of the Hungarian News Agency:

This footage shows the plane still alight after the crash:

Click for more of our articles concerning accidents.

UPDATE: additional details of the victims

Hungary’s foreign minister, Péter Szijjártó has revealed further details about the tragedy. In a video announcement, he shared that the victims were members of two families, along with a friend, tragically including two minors. According to him, the Hungarian consul is already on the way, identification of the victims is underway, and all possible support is being provided to their relatives. Additionally, together with PM Viktor Orbán, he extended their heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this loss.