Kwale plane crash: Search for bodies resumes as probe into cause to take 30 days

The search and retrieval for the remains of 11 people who died in Kwale plane crash resumed on Wednesday with the government now saying that it requires more equipment to facilitate the process.

Speaking after assessing the crash site, Aviation Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika revealed that some of the body parts might be buried below the wreckage which left a depression on the site.

The report of the crash will be published in the next 30 days in accordance to the laid protocols, with the families of the victims expected to await DNA profiling in order to identify their kin.

“The leader of the team has confirmed here that through the administration and the county government of Kwale, an excavator will be brought so we are working together with other stakeholders to ensure that what needs to be done will be done,” said PS Mbaika.

Fredrick Kabunge, Director of aircraft accidents investigations, stated: “We may have to leave the team on the ground…that is the team from aircraft accidents investigations department…an opportunity to ensure that the area behind here is combed in line with the provisions of Article 13. I cannot confirm at this point in time whether all the bodies have been recovered or otherwise.”

The government has officially contacted the German and Hungarian governments, as well as the families of the victims.

The full report of the investigations will be tabled in 30 days in accordance with the protocols of the conventions on international civil aviation organisations.

“This is unfortunate…it was not expected…so we will leave it to the team to tell us exactly what happened. We do not want to speculate, we will wait for the team which is mandated to do this to give us the report,” PS Mbaika added.

The ill-fated aircraft left Diani for Masaai Mara on Tuesday, before it crashed at Tsimba area in Kwale County, killing all 11 people on board.