Christmas: Rescue mission ends in tragedy on Mount Kilimanjaro

A rescue mission on Mount Kilimanjaro ended in tragedy on Wednesday after a helicopter crashed near the Barafu Camp area, killing all five people on board, Tanzanian authorities have confirmed.

The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority said the helicopter went down while operating in the Kilimanjaro National Park during what was reported to be a medical evacuation mission.

Those who lost their lives were identified as Innocent Mbaga, a Tanzanian mountain guide; Dr Jimmy Daniel, a 32-year-old medical doctor; Constantine Mazonde, a 42-year-old Zimbabwean pilot resident in Tanzania; and two Czech nationals, David Plos and Anna Plosova, both aged 30.

The Tanzania National Parks Authority said the helicopter crashed near Barafu Camp, at an altitude of between 4,670 and 4,700 metres above sea level.

Local media reports, citing the Kilimanjaro regional police command, said the aircraft was on a rescue operation when it encountered difficulties.

Commissioner for Tanzania National Parks, Musa Kuji, said the Czech tourists had embarked on a six-day climb that began on Saturday and were descending the mountain at the time of the crash.

Kuji added that Tanzanian authorities were working with the relevant embassies to facilitate the repatriation of the victims’ bodies.

Meanwhile, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority announced that a full investigation has been launched in line with international aviation safety standards to determine the circumstances and probable cause of the crash.

Officials said the helicopter belonged to Kilimedair, a company that provides aviation services on Mount Kilimanjaro, including emergency evacuations and descent flights for climbers.