A helicopter has crashed on Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, killing all five people on board, authorities have confirmed.
In a statement on Thursday, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) said the aircraft went down near Barafu Camp, one of the final stopover points for climbers ascending Africa’s highest mountain. The crash occurred on Wednesday at an altitude of between 4,670 and 4,700 metres above sea level.
Those killed 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 (TANAPA).
Local media reports, including Mwananchi newspaper and East Africa TV, quoted the Kilimanjaro regional police chief as saying the helicopter was on a medical evacuation mission at the time of the incident. The aircraft was reportedly responding to an emergency involving a climber when it crashed.
Rescue and recovery operations were launched following the incident, while investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing. Aviation and park authorities have yet to release further details on what led to the accident.
Mount Kilimanjaro, which rises to nearly 6,000 metres (about 20,000 feet), attracts around 50,000 climbers each year. Despite its popularity, the mountain’s extreme altitude and unpredictable weather conditions pose significant risks, particularly during rescue operations.
Officials said more information would be made available as investigations progress.
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