The names have now been given, my heartfelt sympathy to the familys of those concerned.

Three American mountaineers were killed and an unknown number of tourists, with their porters and tour guides were seriously injured after a strong wind shook part of Mt Kilimanjaro, hurling down the slope a hail of stones, Police in Kilimanjaro Region confirmed late yesterday.

Briefing reporters, Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander Dr. Mohamed Chicco, named the US tourists who met their death in the catastrophe as Christian Fergusson (27) from Colorado, Mary Lou (54) from California and Betty Orrick (58) from Tennessee .

According to Dr. Chicco, two tourists who were in serious condition after being hit by the rocks, have been taken to Nairobi, Kenya for further treatment.