Rescue helicopter crashes, killing five on Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro | Transport news

Two foreigners seeking medical evacuation were among those killed in the accident on Africa’s highest mountain.

Five people were killed in a helicopter crash on Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, authorities said.

The accident happened Wednesday evening on one of the most touristy climbing routes, as part of what police said was a rescue mission to retrieve patients from the mountain.

Two foreigners, who police said had been arrested during a medical evacuation, were among those killed.

A local doctor, a tour guide and the pilot were also killed in the crash.

According to Tanzanian media, Czech nationals and a Zimbabwean were on board the helicopter.

The accident occurred between Camp Barafu and Kibo Peak, at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters (13,100 feet).

Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander Simon Maigwa told reporters that the plane belonged to Kilimanjaro Aviation, which has not yet commented on the accident.

The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority said Thursday that investigations had begun, in line with international safety regulations, “to determine the circumstances and probable cause” of the accident.

Plane crashes on Mount Kilimanjaro are rare. The last recorded incident was in November 2008, when four people died.

Kilimanjaro attracts thousands of tourists every year. Although the climb is not technically difficult, altitude sickness is a problem for many climbers.