A helicopter carrying tourists has crashed in Kirish, near Mt Ololokwe in Samburu County, Kenya, killing everyone on board.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 19, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said the aircraft, registration 5Y-GYM, was conducting a flight from Loisaba to Ewasonyiro when the accident occurred.

The crash happened at approximately 9:13 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

“Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirms that an aircraft accident involving a Eurocopter EC130 B4, registration 5Y-GYM, has occurred at Lolokwe Mountain in Samburu County on Wednesday, 19 August 2026,” KCAA said.

“The aircraft was conducting a flight from Loisaba to Ewasonyiro when the accident occurred at approximately 0913 hrs local time.”

KCAA said it was coordinating with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders following the accident.

The Air Accident Investigation Department, under the Ministry of Roads and Transport, is leading investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

KCAA also extended its condolences to the families of the victims following the incident.

According to a preliminary report from the police, seven tourists were on board the chopper before it went down.

“Their nationality is yet to be known,” police said.