RIP: Six Tourists Confirmed Dead After Helicopter Crashes Near Mt Ololokwe, Cause Exposed

The death toll from the helicopter crash near Mt Ololokwe in Samburu County has risen to six, with authorities confirming that the victims were tourists.

The helicopter, a Eurocopter EC130 B4 registered 5Y-GYM, crashed at approximately 9:13 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, near Lolokwe Mountain.

Fresh reports indicate that the aircraft was carrying tourists from the Loisaba area when it went down near the foot of the iconic mountain. The helicopter was subsequently engulfed in flames, leaving the aircraft severely damaged.

Initial reports had indicated that seven people were aboard, prompting an intensive search and recovery operation at the difficult-to-access crash site. Reports from the scene indicated that several bodies had been located, with identification of the victims still pending.

Emergency responders and local authorities moved to the scene as efforts continued to recover the victims and secure the wreckage.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has confirmed the crash and said it is coordinating with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders. The Air Accident Investigation Department, under the Ministry of Roads and Transport, is leading investigations into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

The cause of the crash remains unknown.

Authorities are expected to release further details regarding the identities of the victims, the seventh person reportedly on board, and what may have caused the helicopter to crash.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Samburu, with Mt Ololokwe one of the region’s most recognisable landmarks and tourist attractions now at the centre of a major aviation accident investigation.