Helicopter Crash in Kenya Kills All Tourists on Board Near Mount Ololokwe

A helicopter carrying tourists has crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Kenya’s Samburu County, killing everyone on board, according to an aviation source.

The crash happened at about 9:13 a.m. local time on Wednesday after the aircraft departed from the Loisaba wildlife reserve, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said. The number of people on board has not been officially confirmed.

“I can confirm an accident has happened, there are no survivors,” an aviation source told AFP.

Local media reports said as many as seven tourists were travelling in the helicopter when it went down, although their nationalities had not been disclosed. The cause of the crash remains unknown as authorities begin investigations.

Video footage shared on social media showed thick black smoke rising from the crash site at the foot of Mount Ololokwe, a prominent landmark in Samburu County.

Mount Ololokwe rises to about 2,000 metres above sea level and is regarded as sacred by the Samburu people. The area is also a popular destination for hikers and tourists, with some companies offering helicopter sightseeing flights around the mountain.

The Kenya Red Cross said emergency response operations were underway, with a multi-agency team working to reach the crash site. The KCAA also confirmed that investigations into the accident had commenced.

The crash comes months after another helicopter accident in western Kenya in March that killed six people, including a member of parliament, highlighting continuing concerns over aviation safety in the country