Amanze Chinonye
Ecuador’s intelligence chief and five U.S. citizens were among seven people killed when a safari helicopter crashed in northern Kenya on Wednesday, Kenyan authorities and the U.S. State Department said.
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The helicopter crashed at about 9:13 a.m. while flying from Loisaba Conservancy towards the Ewaso Nyiro area in Samburu County, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. Six passengers and the pilot were on board.
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David Nkoroi, Samburu’s police commander, later confirmed that all seven people aboard the aircraft had died.
The U.S. State Department said five of the victims were American citizens and that the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi was providing consular assistance to their families.
Among the victims was José Alberto Suárez, 55, a television executive who had served as president and general manager of several Telemundo stations in Florida. NBCUniversal and Telemundo leadership confirmed his death.
Ecuador’s presidency later confirmed the death of Michele Sensi-Contugi, director of the country’s National Intelligence Center. His wife, Stephany Hollihan, who held U.S. and Ecuadorian citizenship, was also killed.
Sensi-Contugi, a close associate of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, was visiting Kenya as a tourist with his wife, according to Ecuador’s government. The couple are survived by two children.
The aircraft, a Eurocopter EC130 B4 operated by Lady Lori Helicopters, crashed in rugged terrain near the foothills of Mount Ololokwe, a popular tourist destination in Samburu County.
Lady Lori Helicopters said the aircraft was conducting a charter flight when it crashed. Luxury safari operator &Beyond said the passengers were travelling as part of an excursion it had arranged.
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Tropic Air Kenya said it dispatched two helicopters to assist with search and recovery operations. The Kenya Red Cross said difficult terrain and a fire at the crash site hampered recovery efforts.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said an investigation was underway.
Helicopters are widely used in Kenya’s tourism industry to transport visitors between safari lodges, conservancies and remote destinations.
The crash comes months after a separate helicopter accident in western Kenya killed six people, including a legislator.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
