Six tourists and pilot killed in Kenya helicopter crash

Six tourists and a pilot perished when a helicopter crashed at Mount Ololokwe in central Kenya, according to air accident officials. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Department revealed the nationalities of the deceased had not yet been determined. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority stated the incident occurred in Samburu county at around 09:13 local time (06:13 GMT).

The helicopter was involved in a scenic flight from Loisaba wildlife conservancy to Ewaso Nyiro river, which traverses several national reserves. Online images depict smoke at the crash site. The Kenya Red Cross informed the BBC that the area remains inaccessible, but drones are being utilized to examine the scene. The KCAA confirmed the aircraft involved was a Eurocopter EC130 B4, and they are coordinating the investigation.

The transport ministry and Air Accident Investigations Department will spearhead inquiries into the accident's circumstances. Samburu county, popular among tourists for its wildlife conservancies and breathtaking landscapes, is known for occasional helicopter crashes. In February, a helicopter crash in Nandi county claimed six lives, including a member of parliament.

In 2024, military chief Gen Francis Omondi Ogolla died in an army helicopter crash that carried 11 people, with only two survivors. In June 2021, at least 10 soldiers perished when their helicopter crashed near Nairobi.