Many die as Kenyan military plane crashed near Nairobi

A military helicopter has crashed close to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

Kenya Defence Forces say rescue operations are on going.

The aircraft was on a training mission when it crash landed in the Ngong area.

Unknown number of Kenyan soldiers died in the plane crash according to a military statement quoted by Reuters.

The Kenyan Air Force Mi 171 E helicopter crashed around 9 a.m. (0600 GMT), it added.

Those injured have been airlifted to the military hospital in Nairobi for treatment.

The statement added that air accident investigators are on the scene of the crash.

Kenya Defence Forces on Thursday afternoon confirmed that deaths were recorded in this morning’s crash.

The Force’s spokesperson Zipporah Kioko said:

“Regrettably, following the crash, we suffered fatalities.

“The process of communicating with the families to relay the information and KDF condolences are underway.”

“One police report at Kiserian Police Station, however, say “10 of the 23 people inside are feared dead”.

“Thirteen (13) were rescued and they have been taken to the hospital,” according to the report filed under the OB Number 9/24/6/2021.