Horror as Tourist Chopper Crashes in Samburu, Seven Feared Dead in Fiery Mount Ololokwe Tragedy

SAMBURU, Kenya — Several people are feared dead after a helicopter crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County on Wednesday morning, triggering an urgent multi-agency rescue and recovery operation.

The aircraft went down at the rugged foothills of Mount Ololokwe, an iconic landmark in northern Kenya, at approximately 9:13 a.m. on August 19, 2026, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

KCAA identified the aircraft as a Eurocopter EC130 B4, registration 5Y-GYM, which was operating a flight from Loisaba to the Ewaso Nyiro area when the accident occurred.

Smoke and flames seen at crash site

Witnesses reported seeing thick smoke and flames rising from the area shortly after the helicopter went down.

The crash site is located in a remote and difficult-to-access section of the mountain, creating significant challenges for emergency teams attempting to reach the wreckage.

Samburu County Commissioner Isaac Keter said police and rescue teams were being deployed to the scene as authorities worked to establish what had happened and determine the condition of those aboard.

The Kenya Red Cross and other responders were also involved in the emergency operation.

Seven people reportedly on board

Initial reports indicated that seven people — six tourists and a pilot — may have been aboard the helicopter.

However, authorities initially cautioned that the identities of those on board and the exact casualty figures had not yet been officially confirmed. Reuters also reported that the number of passengers and their condition remained unclear as the incident developed.

Later reports from Kenyan media said all seven occupants were believed to have died, but official confirmation and identification remained important before definitive casualty figures could be established.

The conflicting early reports underscore the difficulty of obtaining verified information from the remote crash location.

Rescue operation underway

Emergency teams were racing to access the crash site, with the mountainous terrain complicating the response.

The incident has attracted attention because Mount Ololokwe is a popular destination for tourists visiting northern Kenya. The area is known for its dramatic landscape and proximity to several wildlife conservancies and safari destinations.

Authorities have urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information as rescue personnel and investigators establish the full circumstances of the crash.

Aviation investigators to probe crash

The Ministry of Roads and Transport’s Air Accident Investigation Department is expected to investigate the circumstances that caused the helicopter to crash.

Investigators will examine the aircraft, flight path, weather conditions, maintenance records and other relevant evidence to determine what led to the accident.

The crash comes as Kenya continues to rely heavily on aviation to connect remote tourism destinations, conservancies and other hard-to-reach areas.

For now, the focus remains on reaching the crash site, accounting for everyone who was aboard and notifying their families.

NABADO.CO.KE will continue to update this story as authorities release verified information about the casualties, identities of those aboard and the cause of the crash.

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