Tragedy struck Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro when a helicopter crashed near Barafu Camp, killing five people onboard, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The victims include Tanzanian guide Innocent Mbaga, 32-year-old doctor Jimmy Daniel, Zimbabwean pilot Constantine Mazonde, aged 42, and two Czech tourists, David Plos and Anna Plosova, both aged 30.
The helicopter was conducting a medical evacuation as climbers descended from their six-day summit hike.
Tanzania National Parks commissioner Musa Kuji stated: “They were descending from the peak when the helicopter crashed near Barafu Camp in Kilimanjaro National Park.”
Tanzania’s Civil Aviation Authority has launched a full investigation following international safety protocols. Authorities are also coordinating with foreign embassies to repatriate the victims’ remains.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak standing nearly 6,000 metres (20,000 feet) tall, attracts around 50,000 climbers each year. Fatal aircraft accidents in the area are rare; the last incident occurred in 2008, resulting in four deaths.
Kilimedair, the helicopter operator, offers rapid helicopter descents for climbers too exhausted to complete the usual two-day trek down. The company has not yet issued a statement regarding the fatal crash.
Originally published by UKNIP.
