A helicopter carrying six tourists and a pilot crashed in Kenya’s Samburu County on Wednesday, killing all seven people aboard, authorities said. The aircraft went down near Mount Ololokwe, a prominent landmark north of the capital Nairobi, after departing from the Loisaba wildlife reserve for a scenic flight. Kenya’s aviation authorities confirmed that there were no survivors in the crash. The accident occurred at 9:13 am local time, or 0613 GMT, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). Fredrick Kabunge, director of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID), told AFP that seven people were on board the helicopter, including one pilot and six passengers.

“There were 7 people on board the helicopter, one pilot and six passengers,” Kabunge said, confirming that everyone aboard had died. An aviation source who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity had earlier confirmed that the helicopter had crashed and that there were no survivors. The crash site was located at the foot of Mount Ololokwe, where footage shared on social media showed thick black smoke rising into the sky. Emergency and aviation authorities were expected to examine the wreckage and establish the circumstances that led to the aircraft going down.

According to Kabunge, the helicopter was transporting tourists for a scenic flight. Such flights are offered to visitors seeking aerial views of Kenya’s landscapes, including wildlife reserves, mountains and other major tourist attractions. The helicopter had reportedly taken off from the Loisaba wildlife reserve before the fatal flight. The exact cause of the crash was not immediately disclosed, and authorities had not indicated whether weather, mechanical failure, human error or another factor was involved.

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Reports said five of the six tourists aboard the helicopter were United States citizens. Further details about the victims, including their identities, had not immediately been released. The incident is likely to prompt an investigation by Kenya’s aviation authorities into the aircraft, its operation and the conditions surrounding the flight. Investigators typically examine flight records, maintenance information, witness accounts and the wreckage as part of determining what caused an aviation accident.

Mount Ololokwe, where the helicopter crashed, is a distinctive mountain in Samburu County and has deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Samburu people. The mountain rises to approximately 2,000 metres (6,560 feet) above sea level and is also a popular destination for hikers. Its distinctive landscape and location within Kenya’s northern tourism region have made it an attraction for visitors, while helicopter companies operate aerial sightseeing flights over the mountain and surrounding areas.

The crash comes in an area known for wildlife tourism and scenic experiences, with visitors travelling to northern Kenya to explore reserves and landscapes that are difficult to access from the ground. The fatal accident has raised immediate questions about the safety of the scenic helicopter operation, although no conclusions about the cause can be drawn until the official investigation is completed. Authorities are expected to provide further information as investigators establish the sequence of events that preceded the crash.

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