Kenya Tourist Helicopter Crash Kills 7, Including Americans and Ecuador Security Chief
By Reuters
A rescue official works at the site of a tourist helicopter crash that caused multiple casualties, according to the police, in Samburu County, Kenya, August 19, 2026.
Rescue officials work at the site of a tourist helicopter crash that caused multiple casualties, according to the police, in Samburu County, Kenya, August 19, 2026.
Rescue officials work at the site of a tourist helicopter crash that caused multiple casualties, according to the police, in Samburu County, Kenya, August 19, 2026.
Rescue officials work at the site of a tourist helicopter crash that caused multiple casualties, according to the police, in Samburu County, Kenya, August 19, 2026.
NAIROBI, Aug 19 (Reuters) – 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.
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.
