Rescue operations are underway following a flight incident at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
In a statement, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) said an aircraft overflying Nairobi encountered "an incident at JKIA" in the morning.
"An aircraft overflying Nairobi encountered an incident at JKIA this morning. Immediate rescue operations are underway, led by our dedicated emergency response teams. We are working closely with authorities as we prioritize the safety of all involved," KAA said.
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However, in a subsequent press statement, KAA said it was conducting a safety drill which involved a simulation of an aircraft crashing at the airport.
"KAA would like to announce the successful completion of a full-scale emergency drill conducted at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) this morning. The exercise, which involved a simulated incident of an aircraft that crashed at the airport while overflying Nairobi, was organized by KAA as part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing airport emergency response capabilities and ensuring the highest level of preparedness in case of any unforeseen events," the statement read in part.
KAA says the primary objective of the exercise was to test and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the airport's emergency response procedures, coordination among various agencies, and the overall readiness of the airport's personnel.
"KAA would like to assure the public that this incident was entirely simulated and did not pose any real danger to passengers, crew members, or airport operations. The safety and security of all individuals involved were strictly prioritized throughout the exercise," KAA added.
