Five people, including two Czech tourists, died after a helicopter crashed on Mount Kilimanjaro on Wednesday. The crash occurred near Camp Barafu at 4,700 metres, the Tanzanian aviation authority confirmed, with all on board perishing instantly.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the accident, leaving investigators scrambling for answers at the remote site. The tragedy adds to Tanzania’s troubled aviation record, prompting safety concerns among international travellers and regulatory bodies alike. In June, the European Union listed all Tanzanian air transport companies as at risk due to repeated incidents.
The EU cited “a shortage of qualified personnel, ineffective oversight, and non-compliance with international safety standards” in its warning. Tanzania’s aviation history includes a 2022 crash into Lake Victoria that killed 19 people, deepening safety concerns further.
In 1999, 12 people, including 10 American tourists, died in a plane crash in the country’s northern region. The latest disaster casts a shadow over the country’s tourism sector, long reliant on adventurous climbers and international visitors. Authorities face mounting pressure to tighten aviation regulations and restore public confidence in the safety of Tanzanian skies.