Helicopter crash at Mount Ololokwe in Kenya kills six tourists

Sun Sep 06 2026 02:42:45 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A Eurocopter EC130 B4 helicopter crashed at Mount Ololokwe in Samburu county, killing all six passengers believed to be tourists during a scenic flight.

A Eurocopter EC130 B4 helicopter crashed on Mount Ololokwe in Samburu county, central Kenya, killing all six aboard, most likely tourists on a scenic flight. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Department confirmed the tragedy, while the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said the helicopter was en route from Losaiba wildlife conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro river. Drones are being used for site assessment as the Kenya Red Cross reports the area remains inaccessible. Kenyan aviation authorities have launched investigations and earlier incidents have highlighted the country’s risk of helicopter accidents.

Helicopter crash at Mount Ololokwe in Kenya kills six tourists

A Eurocopter EC130 B4 helicopter crashed on Mount Ololokwe in Samburu county, central Kenya, killing all six people on board. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Department confirmed the fatality and said the identities were yet to be confirmed. Local media reports the aircraft was carrying tourists.

Mount Ololokwe in central Kenya is in a wildlife reserve

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) reported the incident at approximately 09:13 local time (06:13 GMT). It stated the helicopter was conducting a scenic flight from the Losaiba wildlife conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro river, which runs through several national reserves.

A photo circulating online shows smoke from the crash site, and the Kenya Red Cross has said the area remains inaccessible. Drones are being deployed to assess the scene.

The KCAA confirmed the aircraft type as a Eurocopter EC130 B4 and is coordinating investigation operations. The transport ministry and Air Accident Investigations Department will lead investigations into the circumstances.

Helicopter crashes are not uncommon in Kenya. In February 2026 a similar crash in Nandi killed six people, including a member of parliament. In 2024 army helicopter crash that was carrying 11 people killed the military chief, Gen Francis Omondi Ogolla, with only two survivors. A June 2021 crash near Nairobi killed at least ten soldiers during landing.