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Helicopter Crash on Mount Kilimanjaro Claims Five Lives During Rescue Mission

Staff December 26, 2025

A helicopter crash on Mount Kilimanjaro has resulted in the deaths of five people, including two foreigners, as the aircraft was conducting a medical evacuation on Africa's highest peak.

Featured image for: Rescue mission helicopter crashes on Mount Kilimanjaro, killing all 5 on board Five people have died after a helicopter crashed on Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania Five people have died after a helicopter crashed on Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. The accident Wednesday evening happened on one of the most popular tourist climbing routes, in what police said was a rescue mission to pick up patients on the mountain. Two foreigners, who police said had been picked up in a medical evacuation, were among those killed. A local doctor, a tour guide and a pilot were also killed in the crash. The accident happened between the mountain's Barafu Camp and Kibo Summit at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters (13,100 feet). Kilimanjaro regional police commander Simon Maigwa told journalists the aircraft belonged to the Kilimanjaro Aviation company, which conducts medical evacuation services, among others. The company is yet to comment on the accident. Police said more information would be provided later. The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority on Thursday said investigations had started in line with international safety regulations “to determine the circumstances and probable cause" of the accident. Aircraft accidents on Mount Kilimanjaro are rare, with the last recorded incident being in November 2008, when four people died.

Five people have tragically lost their lives after a helicopter crashed on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania during a rescue mission. The incident occurred Wednesday evening along one of the mountain's most frequented climbing routes, as the aircraft was attempting to evacuate patients in need of urgent medical attention.

The crash took place between Barafu Camp and Kibo Summit at an altitude exceeding 4,000 meters (approximately 13,100 feet), according to local authorities. Among the deceased were two foreign nationals who had been the subjects of the medical evacuation, along with a local doctor, a tour guide, and the pilot operating the helicopter.

Simon Maigwa, the Kilimanjaro regional police commander, informed reporters that the helicopter belonged to Kilimanjaro Aviation, a company known for providing medical evacuation and other aviation services. The company has yet to issue an official statement regarding the accident.

Authorities have indicated that further details will be released as the investigation progresses. Meanwhile, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) announced on Thursday that a formal investigation has commenced in accordance with international aviation safety standards. The investigation aims to determine the circumstances leading to the crash and to identify the probable cause.

Helicopter accidents on Mount Kilimanjaro are exceptionally rare. The last recorded fatal incident occurred in November 2008, when a helicopter crash resulted in the deaths of four individuals. Mount Kilimanjaro, standing at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), is Africa's highest mountain and a popular destination for climbers and tourists worldwide.

The rescue mission was reportedly initiated to assist climbers who had encountered medical emergencies on the mountain, a common occurrence given the challenging altitude and terrain. Helicopter evacuations are often utilized to rapidly transport patients to medical facilities in lower altitudes for better treatment outcomes.

This tragic event underscores the inherent risks associated with high-altitude aviation operations and mountain rescue missions. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring a thorough and transparent investigation to prevent future accidents and enhance safety protocols.