A chartered Eurocopter EC130 B4 operated by Lady Lori Helicopters crashed at 9:13 a.m. while flying from the Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro area in Samburu County, Kenya. The remote, rugged terrain and an active fire at the site have hampered rescue and recovery efforts.

Seven people were killed, including five Americans. Among the American victims was José Alberto Suárez, president and general manager of Telemundo stations in Orlando, Tampa and Fort Myers‑Naples. The U.S. State Department confirmed the deaths and said the embassy is providing consular assistance to families.

The other two fatalities were Michele Sensi‑Contugi, director general of Ecuador’s national intelligence center, and his wife, Stephany Hollihan, who held both U.S. and Ecuadorian citizenship. They were in Kenya as tourists; the couple is survived by two children.

Response and investigation

Kenya’s Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the crash and launched an investigation. Local authorities, the Kenya Red Cross, and nearby safari operator Tropic Air Kenya have deployed teams to the site. An additional rescue team was sent from Isiolo to support the effort.

The helicopter was owned by Lady Lori Helicopters and was carrying guests of travel company &Beyond. The aircraft’s operator said it was conducting a charter flight when the accident occurred.

Context

Kenya’s tourism industry relies heavily on small aircraft to transport visitors to remote attractions such as Mount Ololokwe. Helicopter accidents have become more frequent in recent years, with a similar crash in western Kenya earlier this year that claimed the life of a legislator among six victims.

Authorities continue to search for remains and investigate the cause of the crash, while families of the victims await further information.

Original reporting: Richardson, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.