Seven Killed In Kenya Helicopter Crash

Seven people, including five Americans and Ecuador’s intelligence chief, were killed on Wednesday when a tourist helicopter crashed in Kenya’s northern Samburu County, authorities said.

The helicopter was travelling to the Loisaba Conservancy, a wildlife reserve and safari destination, when it crashed, according to a preliminary police report from Archers Post seen by Reuters.

All seven people on board including six passengers and the pilot died in the crash.

The US State Department confirmed that five Americans were among those killed, while Ecuador’s presidential office identified its intelligence chief, Michele Sensi-Contugi, and his wife, Stephany Hollihan, as two of the victims. Hollihan was also a US citizen.

The State Department said the US Embassy in Kenya was working with local authorities and providing consular assistance.

Luxury tour company & Beyond, which operated the excursion, said the cause of the crash had not yet been established.

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

Authorities have not yet released further details on what caused the helicopter to crash or whether weather conditions played a role.

SOURCE: Reuters