Four Americans were killed in a helicopter crash near the foothills of a mountain in northern Kenya on Wednesday, officials said.
The four tourists were traveling with three others inside the chopper at around 9:13 a.m. local time when it went down near Mount Ololokwe, in Samburu County, Kenya’s Civil Aviation Authority said.
The nationalities of the Americans on board were confirmed by a US State Department spokesperson, who told NBC News, “we extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones on their loss.”
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the guests, crew, their families and loved ones, and all those affected by this tragic accident,” Lady Lori Helicopters, which operated the flight, said in a statement.
The company said it was operating a charter flight from the Suyian Conservancy to Mount Ololokwe when the crash occurred.
Luxury tour agency &Beyond confirmed that the chopper was carrying its guests.
The helicopter went down while heading toward the Ewaso Nyiro river, which flows through the Samburu National Reserve, a KCAA spokesperson said.
With Post wires
