4 Americans die in helicopter crash in Kenya, State Department confirms

A fiery helicopter crash in Kenya claimed the lives of seven people, including five Americans and the Ecuadorian national intelligence chief, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. The crash occurred near Lolokwe Mountain in Samburu County on Wednesday at approximately 9:13 a.m. local time, with no survivors. The helicopter, a Eurocopter EC130 B4, was en route from Loisaba to Ewaso Nyiro with seven passengers when it crashed into a difficult terrain, causing a fire that destroyed the aircraft.

The Kenya Aircraft Accident Investigation Department stated they have not recovered any electronic components from the crash site for data recovery. They are seeking satellite imagery and operator tracking data from the Meteorological Department and the Kenya Red Cross. The U.S. Embassy confirmed that five of those killed were Americans, following initial reports of four.

The victims were identified as Roger Edward Duarte, Adam Martin Hlavaty, Henry Parra, Jose Alberto Suarez, and Kenyan pilot Josh Outram. Suarez, who was killed, was the president and general manager of multiple Telemundo stations. Ecuador's Foreign Ministry confirmed that national intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife were among the fatalities.

The U.S. Embassy is providing consular assistance to the families and expressing condolences to those affected.