Budapest Boxing Club: Board Member & Family Killed in Kenya Plane Crash
Plane Crash in Kenya Kills 12, Including Hungarian families
Table of Contents
Overview of the Incident
A Cessna Caravan aircraft crashed in the Kwale county of Kenya on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, resulting in the deaths of all 12 people on board. The passengers included eight Hungarian nationals, two German citizens, and their Kenyan pilot. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from an airstrip in Diani, a town on the Kenyan coast, in a hilly, forested area.
The airline operating the flight was Mombasa Air Safari. According to the company, the pilot did not communicate after departure, and attempts to reach the aircraft by the airport control tower were unsuccessful for 30 minutes before the wreckage was located. [Mombasa Air safari Statement](https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/plane-carrying-hungarians-crashes-kenya-coast-2024-10-29/)
Victims and Nationalities
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter szijjártó confirmed that the Hungarian victims included two families, and tragically, two children were among those killed. [Szijjártó’s Social Media Post](https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/plane-carrying-hungarians-crashes-kenya-coast-2024-10-29/)
The identities of the German citizens have not yet been publicly released. The Kenyan pilot’s name has also not been officially disclosed.
Crash Site and Recovery Efforts
The crash site is located in a remote, hilly, and forested area, making recovery efforts challenging. The roads leading to the site are unpaved, and the coastal region has experienced heavy rainfall, further complicating access. Kenya’s aviation department secretary,Terry Mbaika,stated on Wednesday,October 30,2024,that some of the bodies have yet to be recovered. [Reuters Report](https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/plane-carrying-hungarians-crashes-kenya-coast-2024-10-29/)
Examination
An investigation into the cause of the crash has been launched and is expected to take approximately 30 days. Terry Mbaika assured the public that authorities will “do everything possible” to ensure the investigation’s clarity. [Reuters Report](https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/plane-carrying-hungarians-crashes-kenya-coast-2024-10-29/)
A 2018 safety oversight audit by the international Civil Aviation organisation (ICAO) indicated that Kenya’s performance in accident investigation fell below the global average. [ICAO Safety Oversight Audit](https://www.icao.int/safety/en/oversight/audit/index.html)
Gyula Süllős, a long-time supporter and president of the boxing program at Vasas SC, was among the Hungarian victims. [Vasas SC Statement](https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/plane-carrying-hungarians-crashes-kenya-coast-2024-10-29/)
The Maasai Mara National Reserve was reportedly the intended destination of the flight,though this has not been officially confirmed.