Kenya tourist helicopter crash kills 7, including Americans and Ecuador intel chief

Nairobi: Seven people, ​including five Americans and Ecuador's intelligence head, were ​killed on Wednesday when the tourist helicopter they were flying in crashed in Kenya's Samburu county.

The aircraft was flying to ‌the ⁠Loisaba Conservancy, ⁠a wildlife reserve and safari destination in northern Kenya, ​when it crashed, according to a preliminary report from Archers Post police ​station seen by Reuters.

All seven people - six passengers and one pilot - were killed, authorities said.


A State ​Department spokesperson said five Americans ⁠were among the ‌dead, while Ecuador's presidential office confirmed intelligence ​head ​Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife Stephany Hollihan - ⁠who held U.S. citizenship - were also killed.

"The ​U.S. Embassy is in touch with ​local authorities and is providing consular assistance," the State Department said.

The preliminary police report listed Sensi-Contugi and his wife as tourists.

Luxury tour agency &Beyond, which offered the excursion the tourists were on, said ‌in a statement that the cause of the crash was yet to be determined.

The ​Kenya Red ​Cross said ⁠that search and recovery efforts were being hampered by difficult terrain and a fire at the crash site.