Five Dead as Helicopter Crashes During Medical Evacuation on Mount Kilimanjaro

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.

READ ALSO:

• TikTok Influencer ‘Tea Tyme’ Arrested After Fatal Livestream Driving Crash
• Diddy Appeals Prostitution Conviction, Seeks Release as Lawyers Call Sentence Unconstitutional
• Uche Maduagwu Apologises to Davido, Admits Receiving ₦2.5m to Attack Singer Online

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