A helicopter carrying six people, reportedly including tourists, crashed near Mt Ololokwe in Kenya's Samburu County on Wednesday morning. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft descend rapidly before impact, triggering a blaze. All six individuals on board are believed to be dead.
The crash highlights ongoing safety concerns in aviation, particularly in remote tourist destinations, and underscores the risks associated with adventure tourism. The incident also impacts Kenya's vital tourism sector.
A helicopter carrying six people, reportedly including tourists, crashed near Mt Ololokwe in Kenya's Samburu County on Wednesday morning. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft descend rapidly into a deep mountain valley before impact triggered a spreading blaze. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed the incident involving a Eurocopter EC130 B4, registration 5Y-GYM, which was traveling from the Loisaba wildlife reserve to the Ewaso Nyiro river. While a preliminary police report suggested seven tourists were on board, their nationalities have not been confirmed. All six individuals on board are believed to have died. The KCAA is coordinating with relevant agencies, including the air accident investigation department, to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. The Ololokwe Mountain, also known as Ol Donyo Sabache, is a popular tourist destination in Samburu County. Kenya Red Cross and local emergency response teams are involved in the multi-agency effort.