Kenya helicopter carrying 5 plunges into lake after takeoff

NAIROBI, Kenya – A helicopter with five people on board plunged into a lake in Kenya’s Rift Valley and it’s likely that no one survived, officials said Saturday.

The crash in Lake Nakuru occurred shortly after takeoff from a nearby hotel. Early indications showed there were no survivors, said Gilbert Kibe, director general of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.

The helicopter was taking part in campaigns for Kenya’s fresh presidential election on Thursday, Nakuru county commissioner Joshua Nkanatha said.

A search-and-rescue mission was underway, said Pius Mwachi, a national disaster management official.

Lake Nakuru, located 170 kilometres (105 miles) northwest of the capital, Nairobi, is famous for flamingo colonies that turn the shoreline pink at their peak.

Environment degradation has threatened the lake and its wildlife.