A firefighting helicopter has crashed on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town after reportedly clipping the mountainside while attempting to dump water on an active veld fire.
Video footage circulating on social media, which is now being widely shared, shows the helicopter flying low over burning vegetation before suddenly losing control. Moments later, the aircraft crashes, sending a thick plume of smoke into the air.
According to the City of Cape Town, the helicopter was assisting in efforts to contain a fire above the Hout Bay and Constantia Nek areas when the incident occurred on Wednesday.
Early reports indicate the aircraft’s main rotor may have struck the rocky mountainside during a water drop operation, leading to the crash.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, confirmed the incident and described it as a serious setback during firefighting operations.
“While assisting SANParks with the fire, one of the contracted helicopters appears to have clipped the mountain with its main rotor and crashed,” he said.
Emergency response teams were immediately activated, with specialised rescue technicians deployed onto the mountain to reach the crash site. Law enforcement officers have also been sent to secure the area while authorities take control of the scene.
Despite the severity of the crash and the explosion seen in the footage, initial indications suggest the pilot survived. However, the full extent of injuries has not yet been confirmed.
The South African Police Service and the South African Civil Aviation Authority are expected to investigate the incident.
Firefighting efforts in the area are ongoing, with crews working under difficult and dangerous conditions as the blaze continues to spread across parts of the mountain.
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