Breaking: All onboard d!e as helicopter crashes

A helicopter carrying tourists has crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Kenya’s northern Samburu County, killing all seven people on board, including six tourists and the pilot.

The crash occurred at about 9:13am local time on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, as the helicopter was flying from the Loisaba wildlife conservancy towards the Ewaso Nyiro area, according to Kenyan authorities. Blueprint reports

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) identified the aircraft as a Eurocopter EC130 B4 with registration number 5Y-GYM.

Helicopter bursts into flames

The aircraft reportedly went down in a remote and rugged area near Mount Ololokwe, a prominent tourist attraction in Samburu County.

Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter descend rapidly before crashing and bursting into flames. The difficult terrain around the crash site posed challenges for emergency responders attempting to reach the wreckage.

The Kenya Red Cross and other emergency response teams were deployed as part of a multi-agency operation following the crash.

Initial reports indicated that seven people were aboard the helicopter. Subsequent reports confirmed that the victims comprised six tourists and the pilot. Their nationalities were initially not disclosed by authorities.

Authorities begin investigation

The KCAA said it was coordinating with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders following the accident.

Kenya’s Air Accident Investigation Department is expected to lead efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and determine what caused the helicopter to go down.

The cause of the accident was not immediately known.

The aviation authority expressed condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died in the incident.

Luxury safari company &Beyond also confirmed that the helicopter was carrying some of its guests, although it initially did not disclose the number of passengers involved.

Crash hits popular safari region

Mount Ololokwe is one of the prominent landmarks in Samburu County and is known for its striking landscape and scenic views.

The flat-topped mountain rises prominently above the arid northern Kenyan landscape and attracts tourists visiting the region for wildlife, photography and other outdoor activities.

The crash occurred in an area where helicopter flights are commonly used to connect tourists with remote wildlife conservancies and safari destinations.

The incident is expected to raise fresh questions about aviation safety in Kenya’s tourism sector, although investigators are yet to establish whether mechanical failure, weather, human error or another factor contributed to the crash.

Authorities have urged the public to allow investigators to establish the facts as recovery and investigative operations continue.

The identities and nationalities of the victims were not immediately released in the initial official reports.

All seven occupants of the helicopter were, however, confirmed dead, making the crash one of the latest fatal aviation incidents to hit Kenya’s tourism sector.