Five people, including two Czech tourists, were killed after a helicopter crashed on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, authorities confirmed on Thursday. The crash occurred on Wednesday at 4,700 metres (15,400 feet) near Camp Barafu, the country’s aviation authority said, adding that all on board died in the accident.
The cause of the crash is currently unknown, officials stated. Tanzania has faced scrutiny over air safety, with the European Union placing all local air transport companies on an “at risk” list in June due to past accidents and safety concerns.
Authorities cited issues including “a shortage of qualified personnel, ineffective oversight processes in flight operations and airworthiness, and non-compliance with international safety standards.” Past incidents include a 2022 plane crash in Lake Victoria that killed 19 and a 1999 accident in northern Tanzania that claimed 12 lives, including 10 American tourists.