A helicopter carrying guests from an ultra-luxury safari retreat in Kenya has crashed, reportedly leaving no survivors.
The helicopter was heading from the Loisaba wildlife reserve to the Ewaso Nyiro river that flows through the Samburu National Reserve when the crash happened at Ololokwe Mountain at 9.13am local time on Wednesday.
In a video, black smoke can be seen billowing into the sky at the foot of the mountain.
An aviation source said that there were no survivors of the crash, which happened around 217 miles north of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.
The Star, a local paper, reported there were seven tourists onboard the helicopter, with police telling the paper their nationalities are not yet known.
AndBeyond, a travel company that works across Africa, told the Daily Mail that guests at its Suyian Lodge were onboard the helicopter when it crashed this morning.
A spokesperson added: ‘Out of respect for our guests and those involved in the incident, further information will be communicated in due course. Our deepest sympathies are with all those affected.
‘The cause of the crash has not yet been determined and is under investigation by the relevant local authorities. We will share further information when it is available.’
Prices for suites for two at the ultra-luxury lodge can be as much as £1,844 per person per night.
Activities at the retreat include horseback riding safaris, guided nature walks and luxury helicopter flights over the country.
The company offers guests the change to ‘Soar over the dramatic cliffs of Suguta Valley… and glide past the sacred peak of Ololokwe [Mountain].’
The helicopter involved in the crash, a Eurocopter EC130B4, had a registration number of 5Y-GYM.
The Kenyan Red Cross this morning said that it was responding to the crash
The Kenya Red Cross sent a crew to assist with the crash
Authorities said the helicopter was heading from the Loisaba wildlife reserve to the Ewaso Nyiro river (pictured)
Data from FlightRadar24 showed that the helicopter’s last known position was at Mount Ololokwe
Data from FlightRadar24 showed that the helicopter’s last known position was at Mount Ololokwe.
At 9.11am local time, the vehicle was at an altitude of 5,600ft and had a ground speed of 85kts (97mph).
The KCAA said that it is ‘coordinating with the relevant agencies and stakeholders in response to the accident.
‘The Ministry of Roads and Transport, Air Accident Investigation Department is leading investigations on circumstances surrounding the accident.
‘The authority extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims following this tragedy incident.’
The Kenyan Red Cross this morning said that it was responding to the crash, adding: ‘Kenya Red Cross emergency response teams are participating in a multi-agency response effort as rescue teams work to access the crash site.’
Mount Ololokwe, a sacred mountain for the Samburu people whose summit rises to 6,560 feet above sea level, is a popular hiking destination. Companies offer helicopter flyovers.
In March, a helicopter crash in western Kenya killed six people, including a member of parliament.
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