Operations at Mombasa's Moi International Airport were suspended on Tuesday afternoon after a charter flight bound for Frankfurt, Germany, was forced to make an emergency landing.
The plane, which had 266 people on board, suffered a breakdown after being hit by a bird strike during takeoff, the people said, asking not to be identified as they were not authorized to comment on the incident.
Airport manager Abel Gogo confirmed the incident on Wednesday and said the aircraft was still being repaired.
“Usually it is a chartered plane that comes to Mombasa from Europe and the aircraft is still being repaired here,” Mr Gogo said.
All 266 passengers and crew were safely transported.
The accident, which occurred at approximately 12:22 p.m., just two minutes after takeoff, affected the aircraft's left engine.
Disaster response teams responded to the alert and dispatched eight fire engines and more than 10 ambulances.
First responders led by the Kenya Red Cross and other medical teams who were on hand to evacuate passengers were also there.
Panic broke out and other planes were delayed, temporarily impacting airport operations.
Nation.Africa also learned that alternative flights were provided for the passengers. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
