A Kenya Airways plane with 114 people on board has crashed in southern Cameroon, state radio reports.
A Kenya Airways plane with 114 people on board has crashed in southern Cameroon, state radio reports.
The flight, which originated in Ivory Coast, was reported missing on Saturday after it failed to arrive in Nairobi.
The flight, which originated in Ivory Coast, was reported missing on Saturday after it failed to arrive in Nairobi.
Kenya Airways has not confirmed the crash. It said people from at least 23 different nationalities were on board, including five Britons.
Kenya Airways has not confirmed the crash. It said people from at least 23 different nationalities were on board, including five Britons.
Kenya's national carrier has a good safety record. However, 169 people died when one of its planes crashed in 2000.
Kenya's national carrier has a good safety record. However, 169 people died when one of its planes crashed in 2000.
The BBC's Karen Allen in Nairobi says the Boeing 737-800 may be part of a new fleet bought recently by the airline, raising questions whether other aircraft will be taken out of service.
The BBC's Karen Allen in Nairobi says the Boeing 737-800 is part of a new fleet bought recently by the airline, raising questions whether other aircraft will be taken out of service.
Bad weather
Bad weather
Flight KQ 507 originated in Abidjan in Ivory Coast and left Douala in Cameroon at 2305 local time (0005 GMT) on Friday. It was due to arrive in Nairobi at 0615 (0315 GMT), but came down near the town of Niete, Cameroon state radio said.
Flight KQ 507 originated in Abidjan in Ivory Coast and left Douala in Cameroon at 0005 local time (0105 GMT) on Saturday. It was due to arrive in Nairobi at 0615 (0315 GMT), but came down near the town of Niete, Cameroon state radio said.
Kenya Airways only said the last communication with the missing plane was received by the control tower in Douala, Cameroon, shortly after take-off.
Kenya Airways only said the last communication with the missing plane was received by the control tower in Douala, Cameroon, shortly after take-off.
The company's chief executive, Titus Naikuni, said a distress signal was detected on the west coast of Africa and a Cameroon search and rescue team dispatched at about 0900 GMT.
The company's chief executive, Titus Naikuni, said a distress signal was detected on the west coast of Africa and a Cameroon search and rescue team dispatched at about 0900 GMT.
Poor weather is reported to be hampering the rescue effort. Mr Naikuni said a team of Kenya Airways and government officials would leave for Douala later on Saturday.
Poor weather is reported to be hampering the rescue effort. Mr Naikuni said a team of Kenya Airways and government officials would leave for Douala later on Saturday.
NATIONALITIES OF MISSING 34 Cameroon15 India9 Kenya (crew)7 South Africa6 China6 Ivory Coast6 Nigeria5 Britain3 Niger2 Central African Republic2 Democratic Republic of Congo1 Ghana; Sweden; Togo; Mali; Switzerland; Comoros; Mauritius; Senegal; Congo; Egypt; Tanzania; US; Burkina Faso 6 unidentifiedSource: Kenya Airways
NATIONALITIES OF MISSING 34 Cameroon15 India9 Kenya (crew)7 South Africa6 China6 Ivory Coast6 Nigeria5 Britain3 Niger2 Central African Republic2 Democratic Republic of Congo1 Ghana; Sweden; Togo; Mali; Switzerland; Comoros; Mauritius; Senegal; Congo; Egypt; Tanzania; US; Burkina Faso 6 unidentifiedSource: Kenya Airways
A Crisis management centre has been set up in Nairobi. A number of worried friends and relatives have been gathering at the capital's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
A Crisis management centre has been set up in Nairobi. A number of worried friends and relatives have been gathering at the capital's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
"We have been told to sit and wait," one relative of a passenger on the plane told AFP news agency.
"We have been told to sit and wait," one relative of a passenger on the plane told AFP news agency.
"A lot of people are crying, people are asking what is happening."
"A lot of people are crying, people are asking what is happening."
The Kenya Airways website says the fleet is 23 strong. It is 26%-owned by Air France KLM's Dutch company KLM.
The Kenya Airways website says the fleet is 23 strong. It is 26%-owned by Air France KLM's Dutch company KLM.
In January 2000 a Kenya Airways plane crashed into the sea after taking off from Abidjan airport in Ivory Coast killing 169 people. There were 10 survivors.
In January 2000 a Kenya Airways plane crashed into the sea after taking off from Abidjan airport in Ivory Coast killing 169 people. There were 10 survivors.
Are you in the area? Have you noticed anything unusual with the Kenya Airways flight? Use the form below to send us details.
Are you in the area? Have you noticed anything unusual with the Kenya Airways flight? Use the form below to send us details.
