Five lifeless in horror Christmas Eve helicopter crash on Africa’s highest mountain
The helicopter crashed on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania on Christmas Eve, killing five people, including two foreigners who had been picked up in a medical evacuation
Five individuals have tragically died following a helicopter crash on Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak.
The tragic incident occurred on Christmas Eve, near the renowned summit in Tanzania. Officials have confirmed the aircraft went down close to one of the mountain’s most frequented tourist climbing paths at approximately 5:45pm.
Authorities revealed the helicopter had been returning from a rescue operation to collect patients from the mountain, with eyewitnesses reporting the aircraft plummeted for several minutes after departing from a helipad. Two foreign nationals, whom police confirmed had been collected during a medical evacuation, were among the fatalities, reports the Express.
A local medic, a tour guide and a pilot also lost their lives in the tragedy.
The helicopter crashed between the mountain’s Barafu Camp and Kibo Summit at an elevation exceeding 4,000 metres (13,100 feet).
Kilimanjaro regional police commander Simon Maigwa informed reporters that the aircraft was being utilised for medical evacuation operations.
The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that inquiries had begun in line with international safety protocols “to determine the circumstances and probable cause” of the incident.
The Tanzania Times reports several mountain guides who were on the summit redirected to the crash location to check for any survivors.
The publication stated unconfirmed accounts suggested the deceased comprised two Czech nationals who had been rescued from the mountain, two Tanzanian nationals and a Zimbabwean pilot. Travel firm Altezza issued a statement regarding the crash, confirming their guides were amongst those who rushed to help with rescue efforts.
A statement on the company’s website declared: “Altezza mountain guides who were on the mountain at the time of the incident moved toward the crash site to initiate a rescue mission.
“Unfortunately, there were no survivors. The victims are reported to include the pilot, a paramedic, two clients and one mountain guide. There were no clients of Altezza Travel on this flight.
“Altezza Travel extends its deepest condolences to all those who lost their lives and to their families during this tragic event.”
Aviation incidents on Mount Kilimanjaro are uncommon, with the previous recorded tragedy occurring in November 2008, when four people perished.
