Seven people, including five American citizens and Ecuador's intelligence chief, died when a tourist helicopter crashed in Kenya's Samburu County on Wednesday. All seven aboard were killed at the scene near Mount Ololokwe.
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Kenya crash kills 7, including 5 Americans and Ecuador intel chief
Seven people, including five American citizens and Ecuador's intelligence chief, died Wednesday when a tourist helicopter crashed in Kenya's Samburu County, authorities said.
All seven aboard the Eurocopter EC130 B4 died at the scene, Samburu County Police Commander David Nkoroi said. The aircraft went down at approximately 9:13 a.m. local time near Mount Ololokwe after departing from the Loisaba wildlife conservancy, according to Kenya's Civil Aviation Authority.
The single-engine helicopter, operated by Lady Lori Kenya Ltd., was carrying six tourists and a pilot on a scenic charter flight. The cause of the crash has not been determined, and Kenya's Transport Ministry has launched an investigation.
Ecuador's Transport Minister Roberto Luque confirmed that Michele Sensi-Contugi, 42, director general of the country's Strategic Intelligence Center, and his wife, fashion designer Stephany Hollihan Vásconez, were among the dead. The couple was in Kenya on vacation, according to an official in Ecuador's presidential office. Sensi-Contugi, a close associate of President Daniel Noboa, was appointed to lead the intelligence agency in 2024.
The U.S. State Department confirmed five American citizens died in the crash. Among them was Jose Alberto Suarez, president and general manager of multiple Telemundo-owned Florida stations in Orlando, Tampa and Fort Myers. Suarez had spent more than 20 years with the company, according to a message to NBC employees reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
The Kenya Red Cross said search and recovery operations were hampered by difficult terrain and an active fire at the crash site. An additional team was dispatched from Isiolo to reinforce the operation.
Mount Ololokwe, a sacred peak for the Samburu people rising 2,000 meters above sea level, is a popular hiking destination where companies offer helicopter flyovers. The helicopter was carrying guests from luxury tour agency &Beyond, which expressed its "deepest sympathies with all those affected."
The crash is the second fatal helicopter accident in Kenya this year. In March, six people died when a helicopter went down in western Kenya, including a member of parliament.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
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