Seven people, including six tourists and a pilot, have died after a helicopter crashed in Samburu County, northern Kenya, on Wednesday.
The aircraft went down at about 9:13 a.m. local time after departing from the Loisaba Wildlife Reserve for a scenic flight, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
Fredrick Kabunge, Director of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department, confirmed that all seven people on board died in the crash.
“There were 7 people on board the helicopter, one pilot and six passengers,” Kabunge said.
The helicopter crashed near the foot of Mount Ololokwe, with footage from the scene showing thick black smoke rising into the sky.
Kabunge said the aircraft had been carrying tourists on a sightseeing flight when the accident occurred.
Mount Ololokwe, regarded as a sacred site by the Samburu people, rises to about 2,000 metres above sea level and is a popular destination for hikers and tourists. Helicopter operators also offer scenic flights over the area.
Authorities had yet to establish the nationalities of the deceased tourists as of Wednesday afternoon.
The cause of the crash was also unknown, while the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said investigations had commenced to determine what led to the accident.
The Kenya Red Cross said emergency response operations were ongoing, with personnel from several agencies working to reach the crash site. Images released by the organisation later showed the wreckage engulfed in flames.
The latest incident comes months after another helicopter crash in western Kenya in March that claimed six lives, including that of a serving member of parliament.
