Seven killed in helicopter crash at Mt Ololokwe in Samburu

A helicopter has crashed at Mt Ololokwe in Samburu County, killing all seven people on board, according to Kenyan media reports.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed that an aircraft accident involving a Eurocopter EC130 B4, registration 5Y-GYM, occurred at Lolokwe Mountain on Wednesday morning.

The aircraft was flying from Loisaba to Ewasonyiro when it crashed at approximately 9:13am, KCAA said. The Ministry of Roads and Transport's Air Accident Investigation Department has begun investigations into the circumstances of the crash.

Citizen Digital and The Star report that seven people — six tourists and the pilot — died in the crash. The aircraft reportedly went down near Kirish, at the foot of Mt Ololokwe, with witnesses reporting smoke and flames from the crash site.

Emergency teams were dispatched to the remote crash site, with the Kenya Red Cross among those involved in the response.

The identities and nationalities of those on board have not yet been fully released through the official KCAA statement.

Mt Ololokwe, also known as Ol Donyo Sabache, is a prominent landmark in Samburu and a popular destination for tourists visiting northern Kenya.

The cause of the crash remains unknown. Aviation investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, flight path, weather conditions and other evidence as they establish what happened.

KCAA has expressed condolences to the families and friends of those affected.

Seven killed in helicopter crash at Mt Ololokwe in Samburu

Related Stories

Tags