Passengers escape unhurt as tourist plane crashes during take-off at Maasai Mara Airstrip

There was panic after a light aircraft crashed as it took off from an airstrip in Maasai Mara, Narok County.

Officials said no casualties were reported in the morning incident.

Emergency responders rushed to the scene after the light aircraft carrying tourists crashed at Ol Kiombo Airstrip in the Maasai Mara National Reserve on Monday, June 1.

According to preliminary reports, the aircraft suffered a tyre burst during take-off, causing it to veer off and crash within the airstrip.

Despite the incident, no fatalities or serious injuries were reported, officials said.

Images from the scene showed several people, including uniformed personnel, running toward the damaged aircraft as rescue efforts got underway. Another small white aircraft could be seen parked nearby.

The Kenya Wildlife Service confirmed that no casualties were recorded following the accident.

The incident adds to a series of aviation mishaps reported in Kenya this year. In May, a skydiving aircraft operating in Diani was forced to make an emergency landing, though no serious injuries were reported.

Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the latest incident to establish the exact cause of the crash.

Officials say they are investigating all other reported incidents in the country.