Seven Killed In Helicopter Crash in Kenya’s Samburu County

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: Seven people were killed on Wednesday when a helicopter crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Kenya’s Samburu County, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said.

The aircraft, a Eurocopter EC130 B4 with registration 5Y-GYM, was flying from Loisaba to Ewasonyiro when the accident occurred at about 9:13 a.m. local time, according to KCAA.

The authority said it was coordinating with relevant agencies and stakeholders following the crash, while the Air Accident Investigation Department under the Ministry of Roads and Transport was leading an investigation into the circumstances of the accident.

Local reports said emergency and security teams were deployed after residents reported seeing smoke rising from the crash site.

The crash occurred near Mount Ololokwe, a prominent landmark in Samburu County and an area that serves as a gateway to several tourism and conservation destinations in northern Kenya.

Authorities have not yet released details on what caused the crash. KCAA extended its condolences to the families of those who died.

The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident, including the aircraft’s flight conditions and what happened before the crash.