•Helicopter bursts into flames after crash-landing
A helicopter crash in Kenya’s northern Samburu County has killed all those on board, with several tourists reportedly among the victims.
The crash occurred at Ololokwe Mountain at about 9:13am local time today.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, KCAA, said the helicopter was travelling from the Loisaba wildlife reserve to the Ewaso Nyiro River, which flows through the Samburu National Reserve.
According to a preliminary police report, seven tourists were aboard the helicopter when it crashed. Their nationalities have not been publicly confirmed.
Eyewitnesses said they saw the helicopter descend rapidly into a deep mountain valley before crashing and triggering a fire.
The KCAA identified the aircraft as a Eurocopter EC130 B4 with registration number 5Y-GYM.
The aviation authority said it was coordinating with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders in response to the accident.
The Ministry of Roads and Transport and the Air Accident Investigation Department are leading investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
In a statement, the KCAA expressed its condolences to the families of the victims, describing the incident as tragic.
Ololokwe Mountain, also known as Ol Donyo Sabache, is a popular tourist destination in Samburu County, known for its dramatic landscape and scenic views.
The striking, flat-topped mountain rises prominently above Kenya’s arid northern landscape and has become a popular destination for photography and videography.
The Kenya Red Cross, alongside local emergency response teams, is also participating in the multi-agency response effort.
Authorities have yet to release the identities or nationalities of those killed in the crash, while investigations continue to determine what caused the helicopter to go down.
