Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Seven Killed in Tourist Helicopter Crash Near Kenya’s Mount Ololokwe
A helicopter carrying tourists crashed in northern Kenya on Wednesday.
Everyone on the helicopter died.
Kenyan officials said there were six tourists and one pilot.
Some local reports said there were seven tourists, so reports differed about the passengers.
The helicopter had left Loisaba wildlife reserve for a scenic flight.
It crashed near Mount Ololokwe, a mountain considered sacred by the Samburu people.
Videos showed smoke and flames at the crash site.
Rescue teams and investigators were working to reach the site and learn what happened.
A helicopter crashed in Kenya’s Samburu County on Wednesday, killing everyone aboard.
Kenyan officials said seven people were aboard: one pilot and six tourists; some local reports described all seven as tourists.
The crash occurred at 9:13 a.m. local time after the helicopter departed from Loisaba wildlife reserve.
The aircraft went down at the foot of Mount Ololokwe, a sacred Samburu mountain, with black smoke and flames reported at the site.
The tourists’ nationalities and the cause of the crash remained unknown as multi-agency response and aviation investigations continued.
- Who
- Seven people were aboard according to a Kenyan aviation official: one pilot and six tourists; all were reported dead.
- What
- A helicopter carrying tourists crashed, with no survivors reported.
- When
- Wednesday, August 19; the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said the crash occurred at 9:13 a.m. local time, or 0613 GMT.
- Where
- At the foot of Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, northern Kenya.
- Why
- The cause had not been established, and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said investigations were underway.
- Reported deaths
- Seven people; authorities said there were no survivors
- People aboard
- The Aircraft Accident Investigation Department said one pilot and six tourists were aboard; local reports described seven tourists
- Crash location
- Foot of Mount Ololokwe, Samburu County, Kenya
- Crash time
- 9:13 a.m. local time, or 0613 GMT
- Departure point
- Loisaba wildlife reserve
- Flight purpose
- A scenic flight for tourists
- Investigation and response
- The cause was not established; the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and a multi-agency response team were involved
