Five people were killed after a rescue helicopter crashed on Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania while on a medical evacuation mission, police officials confirmed on Thursday.
Crash during medical evacuation
Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander Simon Maigwa said the crash occurred at around 11.30 am East African Time. The helicopter was flying to evacuate climbers who were ascending the mountain with a local tourism operator when it went down.
The aircraft crashed in a high-altitude zone between Kibo Hut and Barafu Camp, one of the final and most challenging routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro.
No survivors reported
Police said all five people on board were killed in the crash. The victims included two foreign nationals, a tour guide, the helicopter pilot and a doctor who was part of the medical rescue team. There were no survivors.
Authorities did not immediately release the nationalities of the foreign victims, pending notification of their families.
Challenging terrain and weather
Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak at around 5,895 metres above sea level, is a major global турист destination and attracts tens of thousands of climbers every year. Helicopter evacuations are frequently used to rescue climbers suffering from altitude sickness, injuries or exhaustion during ascent.
However, the region is known for thin air, strong winds and rapidly changing weather conditions, all of which can significantly complicate flight operations and emergency rescues.
Rescue and investigation under way
Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the crash site to recover bodies and secure the area. Due to the altitude and difficult terrain, recovery operations were expected to take time.
Police said a detailed investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash, including possible technical failure or weather-related factors.
Officials noted that safety protocols for high-altitude helicopter operations would also be reviewed as part of the inquiry.