FIVE AMERICANS AMONG SEVEN KILLED IN KENYA TOURIST HELICOPTER CRASH
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Five American citizens were among seven people killed on Wednesday when a helicopter carrying tourists crashed in Kenya’s Samburu County, according to the United States State Department and Kenyan authorities.
The helicopter, carrying six passengers and a pilot, crashed at about 9:13 a.m. while travelling from the Loisaba Conservancy towards the Ewaso Nyiro area in Samburu County, a popular safari destination.
The U.S. State Department confirmed that five of those killed were American citizens, while the U.S. Embassy in Kenya said it was in contact with local authorities and providing consular assistance to the victims’ families.
“Our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who perished in today’s helicopter crash in Samburu County,” the embassy said in a statement.
Kenyan police said all seven people on board died in the crash, which occurred near the foothills of Mount Ololokwe.
The helicopter was operated by Lady Lori Helicopters and was carrying guests of luxury travel company &Beyond. The company confirmed the crash, while the cause of the incident remains under investigation.
Emergency response teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, were deployed to the crash site, although recovery efforts were reportedly complicated by the rugged terrain and a fire at the scene.
Among those killed was José Alberto Suárez, a senior Telemundo executive, according to NBCUniversal. Ecuador also confirmed the death of Michele Sensi-Contugi, the country’s National Intelligence Centre director, and his wife, Stephany Hollihan Vasconez, who was a dual U.S.-Ecuadorian citizen.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has commenced an investigation into the crash.
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