Five people, including two Czech tourists, were killed after a helicopter crashed on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzanian authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The aircraft went down on Wednesday at an altitude of about 4,700 metres near Camp Barafu, a key stop for climbers heading to the summit. According to Tanzania’s aviation authority, all five people who were on board the helicopter died in the crash.
Officials said investigations are ongoing, and the cause of the accident has not yet been established.
The incident has renewed concerns over aviation safety in Tanzania. In June, the European Union placed all Tanzanian air transport companies on its at-risk list following a series of aviation accidents in the country. In its statement, the EU cited “a shortage of qualified personnel, ineffective oversight processes in flight operations and airworthiness, and non-compliance with international safety standards.”
Tanzania has experienced several deadly aviation accidents in the past. In 2022, a passenger plane crashed into Lake Victoria, killing 19 people. Earlier, in 1999, a plane crash in northern Tanzania claimed the lives of 12 people, including 10 American tourists.
Authorities are expected to release more details as investigations into the Mount Kilimanjaro helicopter crash continue.
By Yockshard Enyendi