A tourist helicopter crashed in Kenya: seven people were killed
A tourist helicopter crashed in a remote area in northern Kenya, killing all seven people on board. Among the victims were five U.S. citizens, NDTV World reports, citing local police and the U.S. State Department.
According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, the crash occurred at 9:13 a.m. during a flight from the Loisaba Wildlife Reserve to the Evaso Nyiro area in Samburu County. There were six passengers and a pilot on board the Eurocopter EC130 B4 helicopter. The Civil Aviation Authority said it has launched an investigation.
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Samburu Police Commander David Nkoro told reporters in the evening that everyone on board the helicopter had died. The U.S. State Department confirmed the deaths of five Americans and stated that the U.S. Embassy is in contact with local authorities and providing consular assistance.
The helicopter crashed in rugged terrain at the foot of Mount Ololokwe. The aircraft belonged to the Kenyan company Lady Lori Helicopters and was operating a charter flight for guests of the travel company &Beyond. Tropic Air Kenya dispatched two helicopters to assist in the search-and-rescue operation. The Kenyan Red Cross reported that its emergency teams were participating in the joint operation as rescuers attempted to reach the crash site.
