– SAMBURU COUNTY, Kenya
A tourist helicopter crashed on Wednesday morning near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, killing all seven people on board. The aircraft, a Eurocopter EC130 B4 operated by Lady Lori Kenya, went down around 9:13 a.m. local time during a scenic flight from Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro area. Kenyan authorities confirmed the crash and have launched an investigation. Difficult terrain and a fire at the crash site have slowed recovery efforts led by the Kenya Red Cross and other teams.
Among the deceased were Michele Sensi-Contugi, director of Ecuador's strategic intelligence agency, and his wife, fashion designer Stephany Hollihan. The couple, who were visiting the country as tourists, are survived by two children. The Ecuadorian government expressed its official condolences and highlighted Sensi-Contugi's close ties to President Daniel Noboa.
The U.S. State Department confirmed that five U.S. citizens lost their lives in the crash. They included Telemundo executive José Alberto Suárez, Miami restaurateur Roger Duarte, real estate developer Adam Hlavaty, and aviation software executive Henry Parra. Hollihan held dual U.S. and Ecuadorian citizenship. The pilot was Kenyan national Josh Outram.
All six passengers and the pilot died. The flight was part of a luxury safari excursion. Samburu police and aviation investigators continue to work at the scene, and additional teams have been deployed to assist due to the difficult access.
Ecuadorian and U.S. officials are coordinating with Kenyan authorities regarding consular assistance and the investigation. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined. Further details are expected as recovery efforts and the investigation progress.