A helicopter conducting a medical evacuation has crashed on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, claiming the lives of all five people on board.
Details of the fatal incident
The tragic accident occurred on Wednesday evening, 24 December 2025, along one of the mountain's most frequented climbing paths. Regional police commander Simon Maigwa confirmed the aircraft was on a mission to pick up patients when it went down.
The crash site was located between the Barafu Camp and Kibo Summit at an altitude exceeding 4,000 metres (13,100 feet). The helicopter was operated by Kilimanjaro Aviation, a firm specialising in medical evacuation and other aerial services.
Victims and immediate response
Those who lost their lives included two foreign nationals who had been collected for evacuation, a local doctor, a tour guide, and the pilot. The company has not yet issued a public statement regarding the disaster.
Authorities have stated that more information will be released as the investigation progresses. In response to the crash, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority announced on Thursday, 25 December, that a formal probe has been initiated.
Investigation and historical context
The investigation will adhere to international aviation safety protocols to establish the circumstances and probable cause of the crash. Aircraft accidents on Mount Kilimanjaro are exceedingly rare.
The last recorded tragedy of this nature happened in November 2008, when four people were killed in a similar incident.
