A helicopter crash in central Kenya has killed six people, including five Americans and Ecuador’s intelligence chief, in a tragedy that occurred during a flight through one of the country’s remote wildlife regions.
The helicopter crashed Wednesday morning near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, according to Kenya’s civil aviation authorities.
Seven people were aboard the aircraft at the time.
Among those killed was Michele Sensi-Contugi, director general of Ecuador’s intelligence agency, and his wife, according to Ecuadorian state media.
José Suárez, an executive with US Spanish-language television network Telemundo, was also reportedly among the victims.
The US State Department confirmed that five Americans died and said the US Embassy was working with Kenyan authorities to provide assistance to the victims’ families.
Ecuador’s presidential office also expressed condolences following the death of Sensi-Contugi.
Crash in remote safari region
The helicopter, an EC130 B4, was reportedly flying from the Loisaba wildlife conservancy toward the Ewaso Ngiro River when it crashed.
According to helicopter operator Lady Lori Helicopters, the aircraft was carrying guests connected to luxury safari company &Beyond.
The cause of the crash remains unknown.
Emergency crews faced difficult conditions while attempting to reach the wreckage. The Kenya Red Cross said recovery efforts were complicated by rugged terrain and an active fire at the crash site.
A reinforcement team was sent from Isiolo to support the operation.
The aircraft is a single-engine helicopter manufactured by Airbus Helicopters and originally developed under the Eurocopter name. It can carry several passengers and has a maximum speed of about 178 mph (286 km/h).
Investigation launched
Kenya’s Transport Ministry has opened an investigation into the crash.
Authorities have yet to determine what caused the helicopter to go down or whether weather, mechanical problems, human error or other factors played a role.
Officials are expected to provide further information as recovery and investigation efforts continue.
The identities of all those killed and the circumstances surrounding their journey have not yet been fully detailed by authorities.
This remains a developing story.