The Civil Authority of Kenya communicated this Wednesday that a helicopter carrying seven tourists has crashed near Mount Ololokwe, close to the well-known Samburu National Reserve, in the central region of the country.
"The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirms that a Eurocopter EC130 B4 helicopter, with registration 5Y-GYM, has suffered an air accident on Mount Lolokwe, in Samburu County, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026," it specified in a statement.
According to the initial data provided by the authorities, the aircraft was covering the route between Loisaba and Ewasonyiro when, around 9:13 a.m. (local time), it crashed near Mount Lolokwe. Kenyan authorities have launched an official investigation to clarify what caused the accident.
"The Civil Aviation Authority is coordinating with the relevant agencies and stakeholders in response to the accident," it indicated, conveying "its deepest condolences to the families of the victims following this tragic incident."
A preliminary report from the Police indicates that there were six tourists and the pilot on board the helicopter at the time of the accident, although the nationality of the passengers has not yet been confirmed. According to information disseminated by local media, rescue teams have been deployed to work at the accident site.