Five Dead After Helicopter Crashes Near Kilimanjaro’s Barafu Camp

Investigation launched as rescue teams comb the slopes of Africa’s highest peak

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania – A tourist‑carrying helicopter went down on the western slopes of Kilimanjaro on Saturday afternoon, killing all five people on board. The aircraft was on its final descent toward the Barafu Camp area in Kilimanjaro National Park when it abruptly lost altitude and crashed into the mountain’s rugged terrain.

According to officials from the Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority, the crash site is located near the popular Barafu Camp, a staging point for climbers attempting the summit via the Machame route. Emergency responders from the park’s rescue unit, local police, and a medical helicopter were dispatched within minutes, but the remote location and steep slopes hampered recovery efforts.

Victims: The five occupants included two Tanzanian pilots, a Kenyan guide, and two foreign tourists from Europe. All were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the passengers pending notification of their families.

Cause: Preliminary statements from the aviation authority indicate that investigators are examining weather conditions, possible mechanical failure, and pilot error. “The weather was clear, but sudden downdrafts are common at this altitude,” a spokesperson said, adding that the flight log and black‑box data will be recovered as soon as the wreckage is safely accessed.

Response: Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed her condolences to the victims’ families and ordered a thorough investigation. “We will leave no stone unturned to determine what happened and to ensure the safety of all who visit our beloved mountain,” she said in a televised address.

Barafu Camp, situated at approximately 4,600 meters (15,091 feet), serves as a key acclimatization stop for climbers. The crash has raised concerns among tour operators about the safety of aerial transport on the mountain, prompting some agencies to suspend helicopter services pending the investigation’s outcome.

Authorities expect to release a detailed report within the next few weeks, after the wreckage has been cleared and the flight data recorder analyzed.