Five American nationals and the Director General of Ecuador’s intelligence agency, Michele Sensi-Contugi, and his wife have been killed in a helicopter crash in central Kenya.
The helicopter, which was carrying seven people, crashed on Wednesday morning near Mount Ololokwe, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
Sensi-Contugi and his wife were among those who died in the crash, Ecuadorian state media reported. José Suárez, an executive with Spanish-language television network Telemundo, was also identified as one of the victims, according to CNN.
The deaths of the five American nationals were confirmed by the United States Department of State, which said the US Embassy in Kenya was working closely with local authorities and providing consular assistance following the tragedy.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones on their loss,” a State Department spokesperson said.
The crash triggered a difficult and dangerous recovery operation as emergency responders battled challenging terrain and an active fire at the site.
The Kenya Red Cross said recovery efforts were being significantly hampered by the difficult conditions, prompting the deployment of an additional response team from Isiolo to assist with the search and recovery operation.
Aviation authorities identified the aircraft as a Eurocopter EC130 B4. The helicopter had departed from the Loisaba wildlife conservancy and was travelling towards the Ewaso Ngiro River when it crashed.
Lady Lori Helicopters, the company operating the aircraft, said the helicopter was carrying guests associated with luxury safari operator &Beyond.
The company said the cause of the crash was not immediately known.
Authorities have now begun investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fatal flight, with Kenya’s Ministry of Transport commencing an official probe.
Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, flight conditions, the route taken, operational circumstances and other factors that may have contributed to the crash as authorities continue efforts to recover all the victims.
The tragedy has cast renewed attention on aviation safety in Kenya, particularly the risks involved in helicopter operations in remote and rugged areas where difficult terrain can complicate both emergency response and recovery operations.
As rescue and recovery teams continued working at the crash site, families, governments and organisations connected to the victims awaited further details about the circumstances that led to the devastating crash.