Helicopter Crash in Kenya Kills All Seven Onboard

On August 19, 2026, at approximately 9:13 am local time, a helicopter carrying seven people, including six tourists and the pilot, crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, Kenya. The helicopter, identified as a Eurocopter EC130 B4 with registration number 5Y-GYM, was en route from the Loisaba wildlife conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro area when it went down in a remote and rugged location.

Witnesses reported that the helicopter descended rapidly before crashing and bursting into flames. Emergency responders faced challenges due to the difficult terrain surrounding the crash site.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) is coordinating with relevant agencies to investigate the incident, while the Kenya Red Cross and other emergency teams were deployed for recovery efforts. Initial reports confirmed that all seven occupants were deceased, and the KCAA expressed condolences to the victims' families.

The cause of the crash remains unknown, prompting concerns about aviation safety in Kenya's tourism sector.