Helicopter Crash on Mount Kilimanjaro Kills Five During Medical Evacuation

Five people, including two foreigners, a local doctor, a tour guide, and a pilot, died when a helicopter crashed on Mount Kilimanjaro during a medical evacuation between Barafu Camp and Kibo Summit. Investigations into the cause are ongoing.

Five people have tragically lost their lives after a helicopter crashed on Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, located in Tanzania. The accident occurred on Wednesday evening along one of the mountain’s most popular tourist climbing routes, during what police described as a rescue mission to evacuate patients in need of urgent medical attention.
Among the deceased were two foreigners who were being transported as part of the medical evacuation, alongside a local doctor, a tour guide, and the pilot of the helicopter. Authorities reported that the crash took place between Barafu Camp and Kibo Summit, at an altitude exceeding 4,000 meters (13,100 feet), highlighting the challenging conditions in which the aircraft was operating.
Kilimanjaro regional police commander Simon Maigwa told journalists that the helicopter involved belonged to Kilimanjaro Aviation, a company known for providing medical evacuation services as well as other aviation operations. The company has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.
Police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash, and further information will be provided as it becomes available. Helicopter accidents on Mount Kilimanjaro are uncommon, with the last recorded incident occurring in November 2008, which resulted in the deaths of four people. The current tragedy underscores the inherent risks associated with high-altitude aviation and the challenges of rescue operations in mountainous terrain.