Seven people have died after a tourist helicopter crashed in central Kenya while conducting a scenic flight, with five American citizens and Ecuador’s intelligence chief among those killed.
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The crash occurred on Wednesday morning in Samburu County, north of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, after the aircraft departed from the Loisaba wildlife reserve.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the accident, while officials said there were seven people aboard the helicopter — one pilot and six passengers and no survivors.
Fredrick Kabunge, Director of Kenya’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Department, said the helicopter had been transporting tourists on a sightseeing flight when it went down.
“There were seven people on board the helicopter, one pilot and six passengers,” Kabunge said, confirming that everyone aboard had died.
A spokesperson for the United States Department of State confirmed that five American citizens were among the victims but did not immediately release their identities.
The US Embassy in Kenya said it was working with Kenyan authorities and providing consular assistance to the families of the American victims.
“Our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who perished in today’s helicopter crash in Samburu County,” the embassy said.
“We are in touch with local authorities and providing consular assistance.”
Among those confirmed dead was Michele Sensi-Contugi, the head of Ecuador’s National Intelligence Center.
Ecuador’s Transport Minister, Roberto Luque, also confirmed that Sensi-Contugi’s wife, Stephany, died in the crash.
“Today Michele and Stephany left us too soon. Thinking of their family, especially their children and parents,” Luque wrote.
Sensi-Contugi, 42, was a former businessman who was appointed head of Ecuador’s National Intelligence Center in 2024.
He was also described as a close associate of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, whose administration has strengthened security cooperation with the United States amid efforts to combat drug trafficking and organised crime.
One of the American victims was identified by Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo as Jose Alberto Suarez, a senior manager with the network in Florida.
NBCUniversal executives confirmed his death, describing him as a valued colleague.
“We are heartbroken to learn the tragic news that Jose was killed in a helicopter accident in Kenya,” the company said.
“Jose was an exceptional colleague who cared deeply about his teams, the communities they served and the important role our stations play in people’s lives.”
Images released by the Kenya Red Cross showed the crash site engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke rising from the area near Mount Ololokwe.
The organisation said difficult terrain complicated efforts by rescue teams to reach the wreckage.
Samburu County Police Chief David Nkoroi said rescue and recovery operations were later suspended because of darkness and the difficult nature of the terrain.
“Operations have been suspended until tomorrow because of darkness and the complex nature of the ground and the scene of the crash,” he said.
Mount Ololokwe, where the crash occurred, is regarded as a sacred mountain by the Samburu people and rises about 2,000 metres above sea level.
The mountain and surrounding area are popular tourist destinations, with companies offering hiking trips and helicopter sightseeing flights.
The cause of the crash has not yet been established.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said an investigation had commenced to determine what caused the helicopter to go down.
Wednesday’s accident comes months after another helicopter crash in western Kenya in March killed six people, including a member of parliament.
Authorities are expected to continue recovery operations and investigations into the latest crash once conditions at the site permit.
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