Death toll in Kenya plane crash rises to 6

NAIROBI, Kenya

The death toll from the crash in Kenya of a medical evacuation plane Thursday rose to six after officials confirmed that all four people on board and two on the ground were killed.

Kiambu County Commissioner Henry Wafula told reporters that the victims on board the aircraft operated by AMREF Flying Doctors included the pilot, two nurses and a doctor.

Two residents in the building struck by the aircraft also died in the incident, which occurred roughly 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) northeast of Nairobi’s central business district.

Kiambu County Police Commander Maurice Odanga confirmed the casualties, saying an investigation has begun.

Footage on social media showed thick black smoke billowing from the crash site, with hundreds of residents gathering as first responders and attempting rescues amid flames, debris and dust.

The identities of the victims and the cause of the crash have not been officially released.

In a separate accident Thursday, eight people were killed in Naivasha, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) northwest of Nairobi, when a train struck a Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) staff bus near the Nairobi–Nakuru highway.

Police said the driver attempted to cross the railway without checking for oncoming trains, resulting in the bus being dragged for more than 200 meters (656 feet).

Naivasha OCPD Antony Keter confirmed the victims were believed to be KPC employees heading home after work.