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.Â
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.
Original Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/helicopter-believed-be-carrying-tourists-crashes-kenya-local-media-report-2026-08-19/
