Five Americans and Ecuador’s intelligence chief, Michele Sensi-Contugi, were among seven people killed when a tourist helicopter crashed in central Kenya on Wednesday.
The helicopter was travelling from the Loisaba wildlife conservancy towards the Ewaso Ngiro river area when it went down at about 9:13 a.m. near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, according to Kenya’s civil aviation authority.
Samburu County Police Commander David Nkoroi confirmed that all seven people aboard the aircraft died in the crash.
The helicopter was operated as a charter flight for guests of luxury tourism company &Beyond, according to Lady Lori Helicopters, the operator of the aircraft.
Kenyan authorities have yet to establish what caused the crash, while an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Among those killed were Sensi-Contugi and his wife, Stephany Hollihan, a fashion designer and founder of Sensi Studio, Ecuadorian authorities said.
Ecuador’s presidential office expressed condolences to Sensi-Contugi’s family, while the country’s foreign ministry said its embassy in South Africa was coordinating with Kenyan authorities because Ecuador does not have a diplomatic mission in Kenya.
“The death of (Sensi-Contugi) represents a great loss for the country,” the ministry said.
Hollihan’s company also paid tribute to her, describing her as someone whose passion for design, craftsmanship and the people behind the brand had shaped the business.
Telemundo executive José Suárez was also among the victims, according to the Spanish-language television company.
Suárez served as president and general manager of several Telemundo-owned stations.
Confirming the deaths of the five Americans, a US State Department spokesperson said, “The US Embassy is in touch with local authorities and is providing consular assistance,” adding, “We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones on their loss.”
The Kenya Red Cross said recovery operations were initially hampered by difficult terrain and an active fire at the crash site.
It later deployed an additional team from Isiolo to support the operation.
Samburu County, known for its remote landscapes and private wildlife conservancies, is a popular destination for tourists.
The aircraft involved was a Eurocopter EC130 B4, now known as the Airbus H130.
The single-engine helicopter can carry between five and seven passengers and one pilot.
