Five Killed as Helicopter Crashes on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

Dar es Salaam, Dec 25: Five people were killed after a helicopter crashed on Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) said on Thursday.

According to the aviation authority, the helicopter went down near Barafu Camp on the mountain on Wednesday. Local media reports said the aircraft was engaged in a medical rescue mission at the time of the crash.

Mwananchi newspaper and East Africa TV, citing Kilimanjaro region police chief Simon Maigwa, reported that those killed included the pilot, a doctor, a mountain guide and two foreign tourists, though the nationalities of the tourists were not disclosed.

The crash occurred at an altitude of between 4,670 and 4,700 metres above sea level, according to local reports.

Mount Kilimanjaro rises to nearly 6,000 metres and attracts around 50,000 climbers each year, making it one of Africa’s most popular tourist destinations. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. (Agencies)