NAIROBI, Kenya 

Two people lost their lives on Tuesday following a mid-air collision of two planes over Kenya's capital Nairobi.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed in a statement that "an aircraft accident occurred at 10.05 EAT (0705GMT) involving a Cessna aircraft belonging to Ninety-Nines Flying School and a Dash 8 belonging to Safarilink Aviation Limited."

Investigations, led by the Air Accident Investigation Department and the National Police Service, into the accident were underway, it added.

The incident has also been confirmed by one of the airlines involved.

Safarilink Airlines said "39 passengers and 5 crew on board headed to Diani experienced a loud bang soon after take-off," noting that they have been safely evacuated.