TANZANIA-Dec 26, 2025- A rescue helicopter crashed on Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro on December 25, killing all five people on board, authorities confirmed.
The aircraft was reportedly conducting a medical evacuation mission when it went down between Barafu Camp and the Kibo Summit, a section of the popular climbing route.
The fatalities include two foreign tourists, reportedly Czech nationals, a local medical doctor, a tour guide, and the helicopter pilot. No survivors were reported.
The helicopter had been responding to a medical emergency involving climbers on the mountain. Officials say the high altitude and rapidly changing weather conditions at Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak, make aerial evacuations particularly challenging.
The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, following international aviation safety standards. Authorities emphasized that such incidents on the mountain are rare.
Mount Kilimanjaro attracts thousands of hikers annually, and helicopters are frequently used for urgent medical evacuations due to the thin air and difficult terrain at higher elevations.
The crash has prompted renewed calls for strict safety protocols during rescue operations in the region.
