A major safari helicopter crash in Kenya's Samburu County on Wednesday claimed the lives of all seven people on board, including five American citizens and the head of Ecuador's National Intelligence Centre. Kenyan authorities and the US State Department have confirmed the deaths.
According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, a Eurocopter EC130 B4 crashed at around 9.13 am near Mount Ololokwe. The helicopter was flying from the Loisaba Conservancy towards the Ewaso Nyiro area. Six passengers and one pilot were on board. Samburu County Police Commander David Nkoroi confirmed that all seven people died in the crash. A search and rescue operation was launched in the area immediately after the incident.
Cause of crash yet to be established
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said an investigation into the cause of the crash is under way. The helicopter was being operated by Lady Lori Helicopters as a charter flight. The company confirmed the crash but said the cause had not yet been established, and would only be known once the investigation is complete.
Five American citizens killed
The US State Department confirmed that five American citizens were among those killed. The US Embassy is in contact with local authorities and is providing consular assistance to the affected families. The State Department expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, saying it remains in touch with them during this difficult time.
Ecuador's intelligence chief also killed
Ecuador also confirmed the death of its intelligence chief in the crash. Michele Sensi-Contugi was the Director General of the country's National Intelligence Centre. He had travelled to Kenya with his wife, Stephany, for a holiday. She also died in the crash. Ecuador's presidential office said Sensi-Contugi was a close associate and friend of President Daniel Noboa. The couple are survived by two children.
Rescue efforts hampered by difficult terrain
The crash site was in a remote and difficult-to-access location, and a fire had broken out there, complicating efforts to recover the bodies. The Kenya Red Cross said the rescue operation was ongoing, with an additional team dispatched from Isiolo to reinforce it. Tropic Air Kenya sent two helicopters to assist with the rescue effort. Kenya's Ministry of Transport is investigating the crash. In February, a separate helicopter crash in western Kenya had killed six people.