Four Americans died in a helicopter crash in Samburu County, Kenya, on Wednesday, a State Department spokesperson confirmed.
“The U.S. Embassy is in touch with local authorities and is providing consular assistance,” the spokesperson said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones on their loss.”
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said that seven people were aboard a helicopter that crashed near Lolokwe Mountain in Samburu County, in northern Kenya.
The deceased have been identified as Josh Outran — Pilot, Roger Duarte, Adam Navaty, Stephen Vascanknez, Henry Parra, Michele Contugi and Suarez — Female.
Ecuador’s Director of Intelligence Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife Suarez were among the victims of Kenya helicopter crash. This is according to Ecuadorian sources.
Michele served as Minister for Interior from April to August 2024, and later as the Director of the CNI ( National Intelligence Center ) until his death.
Another victim is Roger Duarte, the Miami Florida entrepreneur who founded George Stone Crab and co-founded My Ceviche. He was 42.
The Eurocopter EC130 B4 was flying from Loisaba to Ewaso Nyiro with “7 souls on board” when the accident occurred at approximately 9:13 a.m. local time, according to the KCAA.
The authority extended its “deepest condolences to the families of the victims following the tragic accident.”
The Kenya Red Cross said in a social media post that a multi-agency “search and recovery” operation was underway, although efforts were being hampered by difficult terrain and an active fire at the crash site. Luxury travel and tour agency &Beyond confirmed that a helicopter carrying its guests had crashed near Mount Ololokwe. In a statement, the company expressed its “deepest sympathies with all those affected.”
“The cause of the crash has not yet been determined and is under investigation by the relevant local authorities,” &Beyond said.
The transport ministry and Air Accident Investigations Department would lead “investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident”, it added.
Samburu county is a popular tourist destination with many private wildlife conservancies and is renowned for its stunning scenery.
Helicopter crashes are not uncommon in Kenya.
In February, a helicopter crash in the Rift Valley county of Nandi killed six people, including a member of parliament.
In 2024, the military chief, Gen Francis Omondi Ogolla, died after an army helicopter that was carrying 11 people crashed in the west of the country, with only two survivors.
In June 2021 at least 10 soldiers were killed when their helicopter crashed while landing near the capital, Nairobi.
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