Seven people have died after a light aircraft crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County on Wednesday morning, police and aviation authorities have confirmed.
Samburu County Police Commander David Nkoroi said all seven occupants of the aircraft, including two women and five men, died in the crash, which occurred at about 9:13am.
The aircraft had reportedly departed from the Soyian area near Loisaba Conservancy in Laikipia before going down near Kirish, at the foot of Mount Ololokwe.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed the accident, identifying the aircraft as a Eurocopter EC130 B4 registered as 5Y-GYM.
Initial information indicated that the helicopter was carrying six passengers and a pilot.
The passengers were reportedly tourists who had been staying at Suiyan Camp, with the flight said to have been operated by Ladylori and booked through &Beyond Safaris.
Authorities had not immediately released the identities or nationalities of those who died.
Eyewitnesses in the area reported seeing a large plume of smoke shortly after the crash, followed by a fire spreading around the crash site.
Local residents were among the first people to move towards the area as emergency and security teams responded.
“The aircraft was carrying two women and five men. Unfortunately, all the occupants died in the crash,” Nkoroi said.
Images and accounts emerging from the area showed smoke rising from the rugged terrain around Mount Ololokwe, although authorities had yet to give details on the extent of the wreckage.
Mount Ololokwe, one of Samburu County’s most prominent landmarks, rises sharply above the surrounding plains and is located in an area frequented by tourists travelling between conservancies and safari camps in northern Kenya.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known.
Aviation accidents involving helicopters are normally investigated to establish whether mechanical failure, weather conditions, pilot factors or other circumstances may have contributed to the incident.
KCAA said it had received information about the accident, with further updates expected from aviation and security agencies as investigations continue.
Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft wreckage, flight information, weather conditions at the time of the crash and communication between the pilot and aviation authorities before determining the likely cause.
Police were also expected to coordinate the recovery of the bodies from the crash site.
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