Seven people, including a pilot and six tourists, have died after a helicopter crashed in Kenya’s Samburu County on Wednesday, according to a preliminary police report cited by Reuters.
The aircraft was reportedly travelling toward Loisaba Conservancy when it crashed near Mount Ololokwe. The nationalities of the tourists have not yet been disclosed.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed that an aircraft had crashed in the area but, according to Kenyan publication The Standard, did not immediately confirm the number of people on board or their identities.
Smoke and fire were reported near the crash site as residents and emergency teams worked to reach the wreckage.
Luxury safari operator &Beyond also confirmed that a helicopter carrying its guests had crashed near Mount Ololokwe. The company said local authorities were investigating the incident and that the cause of the crash had not yet been established.
The accident is now under investigation as aviation authorities and emergency teams work to establish what led to the crash.
