In brief
The crash happened at 09:13 local time on a scenic flight over Kenyan wildlife reserves, killing six tourists and the pilot. Kenyan aviation authorities are investigating the incident while the Kenya Red Cross and drones assess the scene. The accident follows a series of previous helicopter crashes in the region.
Six tourists and a pilot were killed when a Eurocopter EC130 B4 helicopter crashed near the base of Mount Ololokwe in central Kenya, air accident officials said.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Department confirmed the crash took place in Samburu County at approximately 09:13 local time (06:13 GMT). The helicopter had departed from a wildlife conservancy in Loisaba on a scenic tour to the Ewaso Nyiro river, an area frequented by travelers admiring the landscape.
A photo shared online shows smoke emerging from the crash site. The Kenya Red Cross reports that the site is not yet reachable by ground teams, so drones are being deployed to monitor the aftermath.
KCAA identified the aircraft as a Eurocopter EC130 B4 and is coordinating the investigation. The transport ministry and Air Accident Investigations Department will lead efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Samburu County, celebrated for its wildlife conservancies and striking scenery, remains a popular tour destination. Helicopter incidents are not uncommon in Kenya; a 2024 crash in the western region claimed the life of a military chief, and a 2021 incident near Nairobi claimed the lives of ten soldiers.
The nationalities of the pilot and passengers are still pending confirmation by officials.
