UPDATE: A tragic helicopter crash on Mount Kilimanjaro has resulted in the deaths of five individuals, confirmed by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority. The incident occurred on December 25, 2025, as the helicopter was reportedly on a medical rescue mission.
The victims include a Tanzanian guide, Innocent Mbaga, a 32-year-old doctor, Jimmy Daniel, a Zimbabwean pilot residing in Tanzania, Constantine Mazonde, and two Czech tourists, David Plos and Anna Plosova, both aged 30. They were aboard the Airbus helicopter when it crashed near Barafu Camp, situated between 4,670 and 4,700 metres above sea level.
According to reports from the Tanzania National Parks Authority, the Czech tourists were concluding a six-day trek that commenced on December 21. They were descending from the summit when the helicopter tragically went down. The commissioner for Tanzania National Parks, Musa Kuji, stated that authorities are currently coordinating with the respective embassies to facilitate the return of the victims’ bodies.
The Civil Aviation Authority has launched an urgent investigation into the crash, adhering to international aviation safety standards to ascertain the precise circumstances and causes behind the incident. This is particularly alarming given the rarity of aircraft accidents on Kilimanjaro, with the last recorded crash occurring in November 2008, which also resulted in fatalities.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak reaching nearly 6,000 metres (20,000 ft), sees around 50,000 tourists annually. The crashed helicopter was operated by Kilimedair, a service known for providing rapid descent options for climbers unable to manage the traditional two-day trek down the mountain.
As this story develops, further details will be released regarding the ongoing investigation and the response from Kilimedair. The emotional toll of this incident is profound, impacting families and the broader climbing community. Stay tuned for updates as authorities continue to address this tragic situation.
