Five Americans Among 7 Killed in Kenya Safari Helicopter Crash

Seven people, including five U.S. citizens, were killed when a safari helicopter crashed in a remote area of northern Kenya on Wednesday morning, according to Kenyan authorities and the U.S. State Department.

The helicopter crashed at around 9:13 a.m. while flying from the Loisaba Conservancy toward the Ewaso Nyiro area in Samburu County, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said. The aircraft was carrying six passengers and one pilot. By Wednesday evening, local police confirmed that all seven people aboard had died.

The State Department said five of the victims were American citizens and that the U.S. Embassy in Kenya was providing consular assistance to local authorities and the victims’ families. The identities of the other victims have not yet been officially released.

Local media in Miami reported that José Suárez, 55, a senior Telemundo executive, was among those killed. NBC’s Miami affiliate quoted NBCUniversal and Telemundo leadership as saying they were “heartbroken” by his death.

The helicopter, a Eurocopter EC130 B4, was operated by Kenya-based Lady Lori Helicopters on a charter flight carrying guests of luxury safari company &Beyond. The crash occurred in rugged terrain near the foothills of Mount Ololokwe, a popular tourist destination.

Tropic Air Kenya said it dispatched two helicopters to support search and rescue operations. The Kenya Red Cross also joined a multi-agency emergency response as teams worked to reach the crash site.

The KCAA said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. Authorities have yet to release details on whether weather, mechanical failure or other factors contributed to the accident.

The incident highlights continuing aviation risks in Kenya’s tourism industry, where helicopters are frequently used to transport visitors to remote safari destinations. In February, another helicopter crash in western Kenya killed six people, including a legislator.