Seven tourists are feared dead after a helicopter crashed into a mountain valley in Kenya’s Samburu County.

A helicopter carrying seven tourists has crashed in northern Kenya, with authorities indicating that there were no survivors.

The aircraft went down at Ololokwe Mountain in Samburu County at about 9:13am local time on Wednesday.

According to a preliminary police report, the tourists were aboard the helicopter when it crashed. Their nationalities have not been disclosed.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said the aircraft was travelling from the Loisaba wildlife reserve to the Ewaso Nyiro River, which flows through the Samburu National Reserve.

Eyewitnesses said the helicopter descended rapidly into a deep valley before crashing and triggering a fire.

The KCAA identified the aircraft as a Eurocopter EC130 B4 with registration number 5Y-GYM.

The authority said it was coordinating with relevant agencies and stakeholders following the accident, while the Ministry of Roads and Transport and the Air Accident Investigation Department are leading efforts to determine the cause of the crash.

“The Authority extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims following this tragic incident,” the KCAA said. (Arise News)

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