Advertisement
Red Cross sends extra team to Samburu helicopter crash site as fire and rough terrain hamper search
19th August, 2026 05:03 PM
Search and recovery operations are still underway in Samburu County following a helicopter crash near Kirish on August 19, 2026. Joint response teams are facing tough conditions on the ground as they work to reach the wreckage and locate the occupants.
Rugged terrain and active fire
The Kenya Red Cross confirmed the ongoing situation, noting that “Response operations are ongoing following reports of an air incident near Kirish, Samburu County.”
The humanitarian organisation is working alongside other emergency services, adding that “Kenya Red Cross emergency response teams are participating in a multi-agency response effort as rescue teams work to access the crash site….”
Photos shared from the scene show emergency responders in Kenya Red Cross vests carefully climbing over massive boulders and steep, rocky ground surrounded by dry brush.
Thick smoke continues to drift through the trees from an active fire burning around the crash zone.
Other images from the ground capture responders setting up a drone along a paved road to scan the landscape from above, while a second helicopter landed in dry bushland to support teams searching on foot.
However, nature is posing a major challenge to the emergency workers trying to secure the area. The agency explained that “Search and recovery efforts are ongoing, hampered by difficult terrain access and an active fire at the crash site.”
Reinforcements dispatched
To tackle the challenging terrain and speed up recovery work, emergency agencies have called in extra help. The Red Cross confirmed that “An additional team has been dispatched from Isiolo to reinforce the operation.”
The aircraft involved was a Eurocopter EC130 B4, registration 5Y-GYM. According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, the helicopter crashed at around 9:13 am while flying from Loisaba to Ewasonyiro. Residents first alerted authorities after spotting heavy smoke rising near the foot of Mount Ololokwe.
Police reports indicate that seven people were on board the flight, including pilot Josh Outran and six tourists who were travelling through a local safari firm.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has offered condolences to the families affected by the tragedy. The Ministry of Roads and Transport, through the Air Accident Investigation Department, has launched a formal investigation to establish the exact cause of the crash.
Search and recovery teams remain stationed at the site as multi-agency operations continue.
