Seven people, including six foreign nationals, have been confirmed dead after a helicopter crashed on Wednesday morning near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County.
The Eurocopter EC130 B4, registration 5Y-GYM, was flying from Loisaba to Ewasonyiro when it crashed at about 9.13am, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
The crash occurred near Kirish, close to Mount Ololokwe, with witnesses reporting thick smoke and flames rising from the crash site shortly after the aircraft went down.
A preliminary police report indicated that seven people, including six tourists and the pilot, were aboard the helicopter. The victims included four Americans, two Ecuadorians and a Kenyan pilot.
Rescue teams led by the Kenya Red Cross were deployed to the scene, with drones being used to survey the remote and difficult-to-access crash site.
KCAA said it was coordinating with relevant agencies and stakeholders following the accident, as efforts continued at the scene.
“The aircraft was conducting a flight from Loisaba to Ewasonyiro when the accident occurred,” the authority said.
The Ministry of Roads and Transport’s Air Accident Investigations Department will lead the probe into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
“The Ministry of Roads and Transport. Air Accident Investigations Department is leading investigations on circumstances surrounding the accident,” KCAA said.
KCAA expressed condolences to the families affected by the incident.
“The authority extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims following this tragic incident,” it said.
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