Seven people, including five Americans, were killed when a safari helicopter crashed in a remote part of northern Kenya on Wednesday morning, according to local police and the US state department.
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Key facts
- Seven people were killed in a safari helicopter crash in northern Kenya on Wednesday.
- Five of the dead were Americans, according to the US state department.
- Among the victims was an executive with Telemundo, the US-based Spanish-language network owned by NBC Universal.
- The director of Ecuador's national intelligence service was also killed.
- Ecuador's intelligence chief was named as Michele Sensi-Contugi, whose wife Stephany Hollihan was also among the dead.
Seven people were killed when a safari helicopter crashed on Wednesday morning in a remote part of northern Kenya, according to local police and the US state department. All seven people on board died in the crash.
The US state department confirmed that five Americans were among those killed, according to Sky News and other outlets. The state department was among the official sources reporting the death toll.
Among the victims was an executive with Telemundo, the US-based Spanish-language network owned by NBC Universal, according to the Guardian.
Also killed was the director of Ecuador’s national intelligence service. The BBC named the Ecuadorian intelligence chief as Michele Sensi-Contugi, adding that his wife, Stephany Hollihan, was among the seven people who died.
The crash occurred in a remote northern area of Kenya, according to the reporting. Details about the cause of the crash were not provided in the available sources.
The identities of the remaining victims and further circumstances surrounding the incident had not been detailed in the sources at the time of publication.
Why it matters
The crash claimed the lives of prominent figures, including a senior national security official from Ecuador and a US media executive, alongside several other Americans. Incidents involving tourist safari flights raise questions about aviation safety in remote regions frequented by international travellers.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the Kenya helicopter crash?
Seven people were killed, all of those on board, according to local police and the US state department.
Who were among the victims?
The dead included five Americans, an executive with Telemundo, and the director of Ecuador's national intelligence service, named by the BBC as Michele Sensi-Contugi, along with his wife Stephany Hollihan.
Where did the crash happen?
The safari helicopter crashed in a remote part of northern Kenya on Wednesday morning.
Timeline
- Five Americans among seven killed in safari helicopter crash in Kenya
The Guardian World: Officials say all seven people onboard killed, including Telemundo executive and Ecuador intelligence chief Seven people, including five Americans, were killed when a safari helicopter crashed on Wednesday morning in a remote part of northern Kenya, according to local police and
- Ecuador intelligence chief and five Americans killed in Kenya helicopter crash
BBC World: Michele Sensi-Contugi, and his wife Stephany Hollihan among the seven people killed in the crash.
- Ecuador intelligence boss and US news exec among seven killed in helicopter crash
Sky News: Five Americans are among seven people killed in a helicopter crash in Kenya, the US state department has said.