Update: Six tourists and pilot killed in Kenya helicopter crash

A helicopter crash in central Kenya has claimed the lives of six tourists and their pilot, according to air accident officials. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Department has not yet determined the nationalities of the victims. The incident occurred at Mount Ololokwe in Samburu county around 09:13 local time (06:13 GMT). The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) reported that the helicopter was conducting a scenic flight from Loisaba wildlife conservancy to Ewaso Nyiro river, which flows near several national reserves.

An image posted online depicts smoke at the crash site. The Kenyan Red Cross stated that the area remains inaccessible, but drones are being utilized to evaluate the situation. The KCAA is coordinating the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, with the transport ministry and Air Accident Investigations Department leading the efforts.

Samburu county, known for its picturesque landscapes and wildlife conservancies, frequently hosts tourists. Helicopter crashes are not rare occurrences in Kenya. In February, a helicopter crash in Nandi county claimed six lives, including that of a member of parliament. In 2024, the military chief, Gen Francis Omondi Ogolla, perished when an army helicopter carrying 11 people crashed in western Kenya, leaving only two survivors.

In June 2021, at least 10 soldiers were killed when their helicopter crashed near Nairobi during landing.