Several tourists feared dead after northern Kenya helicopter crash

Several tourists are feared dead after a helicopter crashed at a mountain in northern Kenya, according to local reports.

The Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority confirmed an accident had occurred on Wednesday in Samburu County.

It added that the helicopter - a Eurocopter EC130 B4 - crashed near Ololokwe Mountain while conducting a flight from Loisaba to Ewaso Nyiro at about 9am local time (7am in the UK).

The ​spokesperson declined to ​say how ​many people were on board ⁠or whether they were ⁠tourists, but Kenyan newspaper The Star said police earlier reported seven people were on the helicopter.

Luxury tour agency &Beyond told the Reuters news agency that the helicopter had been carrying its guests but did not give a precise number.

Helicopter crashes have happened regularly in Kenya: In February, a politician was among six people who died after a helicopter crash in a hilly area of the west of the country.

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And in 2024, Kenya's military chief, General Francis Ogolla, was among nine people killed after a helicopter caught fire and crashed shortly after taking off.

(c) Sky News 2026: Several tourists feared dead after northern Kenya helicopter crash