Tourist Helicopter Crashes in Samburu County, Kenya — All Seven Onboard Killed
Nairobi, Kenya — August 19, 2026
A helicopter carrying tourists crashed on Wednesday morning near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, killing everyone on board. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed the accident occurred at around 9:13 a.m. local time, shortly after the aircraft departed from the Loisaba wildlife reserve.
What happened
The helicopter, identified as a Eurocopter EC130 B4 registered 5Y-GYM, was en route from Loisaba to the Ewaso Nyiro River, which runs through the Samburu National Reserve. Eyewitnesses reported watching the aircraft descend rapidly into a mountain valley before it crashed and caught fire. Footage circulating online showed black smoke rising near the base of Mount Ololokwe, also known locally as Ol Donyo Sabache — a striking, flat-topped peak that draws hikers and photographers for its dramatic views over Kenya's arid north.
A preliminary police report indicated seven tourists were aboard. Their nationalities have not yet been publicly confirmed.
Emergency response and investigation
The KCAA said it is coordinating with government agencies and other stakeholders in response to the crash. The Ministry of Roads and Transport, together with the Air Accident Investigation Department, is leading the investigation into what caused the aircraft to go down. The Kenya Red Cross and local emergency teams have joined the multi-agency response at the scene.
In a statement, the KCAA described the accident as tragic and extended condolences to the victims' families. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
Context
The crash adds to a difficult recent stretch for Kenya's tourism and aviation sector. In October 2025, a light aircraft carrying mostly Hungarian and German tourists crashed near Kwale en route to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, killing all 11 people on board. Kenya's parks and reserves — from the Mara to the northern conservancies around Samburu — depend heavily on small aircraft and helicopters to move visitors between remote airstrips and lodges, making aviation safety a recurring concern for operators and travelers alike.
Kenyan authorities have not yet released further details on the identities of those killed in Wednesday's crash. This is a developing story.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
