5 Americans killed in helicopter crash in Kenya, including Telemundo executive

Five Americans were among seven people killed when their helicopter crashed in a remote part of northern Kenya on Wednesday morning, according to local police and the U.S. State Department. The dead include José Alberto Suárez, an executive with the Spanish-language network Telemundo, and the director of Ecuador's national intelligence service, Michele Sensi-Contugi, along with his wife.

The helicopter came down at 9:13 a.m. local time in the foothills of Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement reported by multiple outlets. The authority said an investigation was underway. Police commander David Nkoroi for Samburu confirmed that all seven people on board – six passengers and the pilot – had died.

Victims identified

Suárez, 55, was the president and general manager of several Telemundo stations in Florida, including Telemundo Orlando, Telemundo Tampa, and Telemundo Ft. Myers–Naples, according to NBCU News Group confirmation. In a joint statement, NBCU News Group Chairman Cesar Conde, NBCU Local Chairman Valari Staab, and Telemundo Station Group President Jose Cancela said they were heartbroken. "José was an exceptional colleague who cared deeply about his teams, the communities they served and the important role our stations play in people's lives," part of the statement read, as quoted by NBC 5 Chicago. Suárez had worked across NBCUniversal for nearly 20 years, including leading stations in San Antonio, Sacramento, Fresno, Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas, according to that same report.

Michele Sensi-Contugi, the director general of Ecuador's national intelligence center, died along with his wife, Stephany Hollihan. He was visiting Kenya as a tourist with her, and she was a U.S. and Ecuadorian citizen, survived by two children, as reported by NBC News and The Guardian. Ecuador's National Assembly confirmed both deaths, and the flag at its parliament would fly at half-staff for three days, NBC News reported.

Authorities did not officially identify all passengers at first, but while initial reports from NBC 5 Chicago indicated four Americans were among the dead, later confirmations put the number at five.

Flight and response

The helicopter, owned by Lady Lori Helicopters, was on a charter flight when it crashes. Sources vary on the flight's route: the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said it was flying from Grosbery Conservancy to the Iwaso Nyiro area, while Lady Lori said on social media that it was operating from the 44,000-acre Suygan Conservancy to Mount Ololokwe. The aircraft, a Eurocopter EC130 B4, was registered as 5Y-GYM.

Kenya's Red Cross said its search and recovery efforts were impeded by the difficult terrain and a fire at the crash site, and it dispatched an additional crew from Isiolo to reinforce operations. Tropic Air Kenya, a local safari operator, said it sent two helicopters to assist. Video footage verified by NBC News showed wreckage with parts of aircraft strewn across the foothills, some still burning.

The cause of the crash has not been determined and is under investigation by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Lady Lori Helicopters said, adding it was cooperating with authorities. The company said it was "deeply saddened" and substituted "our deepest sympathies are with the guests, crew, their families and loved ones" for the incident, as quoted by Fox News.

The U.S. State Department said the embassy is in touch with local authorities and providing consular assistance. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones on their loss," a spokesperson said, as carried by NBC News and The Guardian. The State Department added that "The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans," in a statement reported by Fox News.

Perspectives

Politically, Ecuador's president's office expressed "deep sorrow" regarding Sensi-Contugi and his wife, sharing condolences in a social media post, as reported by NBC. The office said "the government extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, and close associates."

Lady Lori Helicopters issued a statement of deep sympathy for the tragedy, while noting its full support for the investigation.

The U.S. State Department mourned and affirmed its priority on American safety.

Notably, the news comes about a month after a helicopter crash in western Kenya in February in which a legislator was among six people who died, according to The Guardian and NBC News—context that highlights a recent and separate incident.