A helicopter crashed on Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania, killing all five people on board during a medical rescue mission, authorities have confirmed.
The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority said the aircraft went down near Barafu Camp, one of the final stopover points for climbers ascending Africa’s highest peak. The crash occurred on Wednesday at an altitude of about 4,700 metres above sea level.
Victims of the crash were identified as a Tanzanian tour guide, a Tanzanian doctor, a Zimbabwean pilot, and two tourists from the Czech Republic, according to Tanzania National Parks officials.
Local authorities said the helicopter was responding to a medical emergency involving a climber when the incident occurred. Rescue and recovery efforts were immediately launched, while investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
Mount Kilimanjaro attracts tens of thousands of climbers annually, but its high altitude and unpredictable weather conditions pose serious risks, particularly during aerial rescue operations. Officials said further details would be released as investigations continue.
