A helicopter crashed at Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, central Kenya, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, killing all six people on board, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Department delivered the news to the BBC but said the identities of those on board had not yet been confirmed. Local media reports suggest the aircraft was transporting tourists at the time.
Crash Details and Timeline
The KCAA said the crash occurred at approximately 09:13 local time (06:13 GMT). According to the authority, the helicopter had departed from a wildlife conservancy in Losaiba and was heading to Ewaso Nyiro, a river that runs through several national reserves in the region. The aircraft was identified as a Eurocopter EC130 B4. An image circulating online showed smoke rising from the crash site on the mountain.
Rescue Efforts and Investigation
The Kenya Red Cross told the BBC that rescue teams had not yet been able to reach the site because of how remote the location is. Drones are being used to survey the area and assess conditions on the ground. The KCAA said the transport ministry and the Air Accident Investigations Department would jointly lead the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. The KCAA confirmed it was coordinating operations at the scene.
