Six tourists and a pilot have been killed after a helicopter crashed at Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, central Kenya, Kenyan officials have confirmed.
In a statement, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said the crash occurred at about 9:13 a.m. local time on Wednesday during a scenic flight from the Loisaba wildlife conservancy to Ewaso Nyiro, a river that runs along several national reserves.
The aircraft, identified as a Eurocopter EC130 B4, crashed in the mountainous area of Mount Ololokwe and that the nationalities of the seven people on board had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.
The country’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Department is expected to lead investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash, working alongside the Ministry of Transport and other authorities.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of the helicopter accident at Mt. Ololokwe in Samburu County, where passengers were reportedly participating in tourist activities.
Glad to note that Multi-agency teams are currently on the ground conducting search and recovery operations.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the occupants, their families, and all those affected during this difficult time. We offer our most sincere condolences and support to everyone impacted by this tragic incident,” Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Rebecca Miano, said in a comment on X.
Reports suggest that rescue and assessment teams were facing difficulties reaching the crash site because of the rugged terrain, however, the Kenya Red Cross said drones were being used to assess the scene and determine the accessibility of the area.
An image circulating online showed smoke rising from the reported crash site, underscoring the severity of the incident.
Mount Ololokwe and the wider Samburu region are popular with tourists because of their dramatic landscapes, wildlife and private conservancies. Scenic helicopter flights are among the activities offered to visitors exploring the region.
The latest crash has renewed concerns over aviation safety in Kenya, where several serious helicopter accidents have occurred in recent years.
In February, six people, including a member of parliament, were killed when a helicopter crashed in Nandi County in the Rift Valley. In April 2024, Kenya’s military chief, General Francis Omondi Ogolla, died alongside nine other people when an army helicopter crashed in western Kenya. Only two people survived that accident.
At least 10 soldiers were also killed in June 2021 when a military helicopter crashed while attempting to land near Nairobi.
Authorities have not yet released the identities or nationalities of those killed in the Mount Ololokwe crash.
Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, flight operations and weather and other conditions as they work to establish what caused the accident.