Five Dead as Helicopter Crashes During Medical Evacuation on Mount Kilimanjaro

At least five people have died after a helicopter crashed on Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, in northern Tanzania, authorities have confirmed.

The crash occurred on Wednesday evening along one of the mountain’s most popular climbing routes during what police described as a medical evacuation mission. The helicopter went down between Barafu Camp and Kibo Summit, at an altitude of more than 4,000 metres (13,100 feet).

According to the Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander, Simon Maigwa, those killed include two foreign nationals who were being evacuated for medical reasons, as well as a local doctor, a tour guide, and the pilot.

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Police said the aircraft was operated by Kilimanjaro Aviation, a company that provides medical evacuation and aviation services in the region. The company had not issued a statement at the time of filing this report.

The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) confirmed on Thursday that it has launched a full investigation into the incident, in line with international aviation safety standards, to determine the circumstances and probable cause of the crash.

Authorities noted that aircraft accidents on Mount Kilimanjaro are rare, with the last recorded helicopter crash occurring in November 2008, when four people were killed.

Police said more information would be released as investigations continue.

Five Dead as Helicopter Crashes During Medical Evacuation on Mount Kilimanjaro

skynews

Libyan Army Chief of Staff, Senior Officers Killed in Plane Crash in Turkey

Libya’s Prime Minister, Abdulhamid Dbeibah, has confirmed the death of the Chief of General Staff of the Libyan Army, Mohammed al-Haddad, and several senior military officials in a plane crash in Turkey on Tuesday.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Dbeibah expressed deep grief over the incident, describing the deaths as a tragic national loss. “It is with deep sadness and great sorrow that we learnt of the death of the Libyan army’s chief of general staff,” the prime minister said.

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According to Turkey’s Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, the wreckage of the aircraft was discovered by the Turkish gendarmerie after it crashed shortly after taking off from Ankara, following an official visit by the Libyan delegation.

Dbeibah disclosed that the aircraft was carrying other high-ranking military officers as well as a photographer, all of whom were killed in the crash.

Haddad, who had served as Libya’s army chief of general staff since August 2020, was appointed during the tenure of former Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. He was widely regarded as a key figure in Libya’s fragile security architecture.

Describing the victims as patriots, Dbeibah said Libya had lost men who served with “loyalty and dedication”, adding that they exemplified discipline, responsibility and national commitment.

Authorities in both Libya and Turkey are expected to release further details as investigations into the airplane accident continue.

Libyan Army Chief of Staff, Senior Officers Killed in Plane Crash in Turkey

Why Rwanda Is Closing Thousands of Churches at an Unprecedented Scale

Grace Room Ministries and thousands of others closed under 2018 worship regulation law

Rwanda has shut down thousands of churches, including the prominent Grace Room Ministries, which once filled giant stadiums three times a week, in a sweeping enforcement of the 2018 law regulating places of worship. Reports indicate that up to 10,000 churches have been closed nationwide for failing to meet the requirements.

The 2018 law mandates churches to submit annual action plans, channel all donations through registered accounts, comply with health and safety regulations, and ensure that all preachers receive formal theological training.

President Paul Kagame has repeatedly criticized the rapid growth of evangelical churches across the Great Lakes region, questioning their contribution to national development. “If it were up to me I wouldn’t even reopen a single church,” he said, accusing some churches of theft and criminal activity.

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Despite Christianity being the dominant religion in Rwanda, according to the 2024 census, many worshippers now face long and costly journeys to find operational churches. Analysts say the closures are as much about government control as compliance. “There’s no rival in terms of influence,” said Louis Gitinywa, a Kigali-based lawyer and political analyst.

Some church leaders argue that the regulations disproportionately affect new evangelical churches that have “mushroomed” in recent years. Others link the clampdown to historical concerns, noting that during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, religious institutions could sometimes serve as recruitment conduits for extremist groups like the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

Pastors such as Sam Rugira suggest that the government should work with churches to meet requirements rather than shut them down, particularly regarding donation reporting and operational compliance.

Observers say Kagame’s open disdain for independent churches signals a tough road ahead, with potential impacts on religious freedom, community engagement, and the country’s spiritual landscape.

Why Rwanda Is Closing Thousands of Churches at an Unprecedented Scale