In a tragic incident in Samburu County, Kenya, a helicopter crash claimed the lives of seven individuals, including five American citizens. This unfortunate event was confirmed by local authorities and the U.S. State Department on Wednesday.
Among the deceased are Roger Edward Duarte, Adam Martin Hlavaty, Henry Parra, Jose Alberto Suarez, Stephany Maria Hollihan Vasconez, and Michele Sensi Contugi, alongside Kenyan pilot Josh Outram. These details were provided by the police commander of the region, corroborated by a statement to ABC News.
The Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry revealed that Michele Sensi Contugi served as Ecuador’s national intelligence chief. He was traveling with his wife, Hollihan Vasconez, highlighting the personal loss felt internationally.
Jose Alberto Suarez held a prominent position as the president and general manager of several Telemundo stations, as reported by NBC. His untimely demise is particularly felt within the media industry.
Addressing the tragedy, a representative from the U.S. Embassy stated, “The U.S. Embassy is in touch with local authorities and is providing consular assistance.” The spokesperson extended “deepest condolences to the families and loved ones” affected by this devastating loss.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said that seven people were aboard a helicopter that crashed near Lolokwe Mountain in Samburu County, in northern Kenya.
The Eurocopter EC130 B4 was flying from Loisaba to Ewaso Nyiro with “7 souls on board” when the accident occurred at approximately 9:13 a.m. local time, according to the KCAA.
The authority extended its “deepest condolences to the families of the victims following the tragic accident.”
The U.S. Embassy confirmed five of those who died in the crash were Americans, after initially saying four Americans died.
The Kenya Red Cross said in a social media post that a multi-agency “search and recovery” operation was underway, although efforts were being hampered by difficult terrain and an active fire at the crash site.
The helicopter company Lady Lori released a statement on the accident, saying the cause of the crash remains under investigation.