Seven Persons Killed As Helicopter Reportedly Carrying Tourists Crashes In Kenya | Sahara Reporters
The helicopter crashed at about 9:13am local time on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, near the mountain in a remote area of Samburu County.
A helicopter reportedly carrying six tourists and a pilot has crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, northern Kenya, killing all seven people on board.
The helicopter crashed at about 9:13am local time on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, near the mountain in a remote area of Samburu County.
Kenyan media reports said the aircraft was carrying six tourists and a pilot when it went down. The Star reported that all seven occupants were killed in the crash.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said the aircraft involved was a Eurocopter EC130 B4 and was conducting a flight from Loisaba to the Ewaso Nyiro area when the accident occurred.
The aircraft was reportedly operating a safari-related flight in the region, which is known for wildlife tourism.
Reuters also reported that luxury tourism company &Beyond confirmed that the helicopter was carrying its guests when it crashed in Samburu County.
The crash occurred in a remote and rugged area near Mount Ololokwe, making access to the scene difficult for emergency responders.
The Kenya Red Cross and other emergency agencies were involved in efforts to assess and access the crash site, with drones reportedly being used because of the difficult terrain.
Images from the scene showed smoke rising from the crash site as emergency operations got underway.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said it was coordinating the response with relevant agencies, while the Air Accident Investigation Department under the Ministry of Roads and Transport is leading investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The identities and nationalities of the six tourists had not initially been released by aviation authorities.
The fatal crash comes amid a series of helicopter accidents in Kenya in recent years.
In February 2026, six people, including a member of parliament, were killed in a helicopter crash in Nandi County.
In April 2024, Kenya’s military chief, General Francis Omondi Ogolla, and nine others were killed when a military helicopter crashed shortly after take-off in western Kenya. Two people survived the crash.
In June 2021, at least 10 soldiers were killed when a military helicopter crashed while attempting to land near Nairobi.
Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the latest crash, including the aircraft’s condition, flight path, weather conditions and other factors that may have contributed to the accident.