- Seven people were killed in a helicopter crash in Kenya, including five Americans, as confirmed by the U.S. State Department.
- Search and recovery efforts are ongoing, hampered by difficult terrain access and an active fire at the crash site.
- José Alberto Suárez, a journalist and president of Telemundo 31, was among those killed in the crash.
- Roger Duarte, a Miami restaurateur, was confirmed dead in the crash, with his family expressing they are 'devastated and heartbroken.'
- Michele Sensi-Contugi, Ecuador's intelligence chief, and his wife were also killed in the crash, according to the transport minister.
- The helicopter was owned by Lady Lori Helicopters and was carrying guests with travel company &Beyond.
- The Kenya Red Cross stated its emergency response teams are participating in a multiagency response effort to access the crash site.
A helicopter crash in northern Kenya on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including five Americans, as confirmed by the U.S. State Department. The helicopter, a Eurocopter EC130 B4, was transporting tourists from the Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro area when it went down at 9:13 a.m. in a rugged region near Mount Ololokwe.1
Among the deceased were notable figures such as José Alberto Suárez, a journalist with NBCUniversal, and Miami restaurateur Roger Duarte, whose family expressed their devastation over the loss. Additionally, Ecuador's transport minister reported that the nation's intelligence chief, Michele Sensi-Contugi, and his wife were also victims of the crash.45
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has initiated an investigation into the incident, while the Kenya Red Cross is actively involved in a multi-agency response effort. However, search and recovery operations are facing significant challenges due to difficult terrain and an active fire at the crash site, complicating access for rescue teams.2
“Among the deceased are journalist José Alberto Suárez and Miami restaurateur Roger Duarte, whose family expressed devastation over the loss. The helicopter, owned by Lady Lori Helicopters, was carrying guests with travel company &Beyond, as the Kenya Red Cross participates in a multiagency response effort.”
CBS News
