US issues statement after safari helicopter crash kills 7 in Samburu

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- The US Embassy in Kenya issued a statement of condolence after a helicopter crash in Samburu County killed 7 people on Wednesday, August 19

- Five of the seven victims were American nationals, including a Florida-based Telemundo executive and a Miami restaurateur

- The helicopter went down at 9:13 a.m. while travelling between Loisaba Conservancy and the Ewaso Nyiro area

The United States Embassy in Kenya has expressed condolences following a helicopter crash in Samburu County Wednesday morning, August 19.

The crash claimed the lives of seven people, including five American nationals.

In its statement, the embassy commiserated with the families of the victims, adding that it was following up on the tragedy.

"Our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who perished in today's helicopter crash in Samburu County. We are in touch with local authorities and providing consular assistance," the embassy said in a statement.

The US State Department separately confirmed to CBS News that five Americans were among those who died, including a senior Telemundo television executive and a well-known Miami restaurateur.

The Crash and What Is Known

The aircraft went down at 9:13 am local time while on a flight from the Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro area in Samburu County, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), which has since launched a formal investigation.

All six passengers and the pilot perished in the crash.

Samburu County police commander David Nkoroi confirmed to reporters that no one on board survived, though he declined to name the victims at that stage.

Identities of the Victims

NBCUniversal later confirmed that one of the deceased was José Alberto Suárez, president and general manager of Telemundo 31, Telemundo 49, and Telemundo Fort Myers–Naples.

Suárez had earlier in his career worked at CBS Miami during the 1990s.

In an internal memo obtained by CBS News, NBCUniversal leadership described him as "a deeply respected leader and beloved friend and colleague."

"José was an exceptional colleague and mentor to many. He cared deeply about his teams, the communities they served and the essential role our stations play in people's lives," the memo read.

The family of Miami restaurateur Roger Duarte also confirmed his death in the crash, saying they are "devastated and heartbroken."

Ecuador Senior Official's Death

Besides the Americans, Michele Sensi-Contugi, director of Ecuador’s Centre for Strategic Intelligence (CIES), and his wife, fashion designer Stephany Hollihan Vasconez, were among the victims of the helicopter crash.

Sensi-Contugi's demise was confirmed by the Ecuadorian government.

In response, President Daniel Noboa declared three days of national mourning through Executive Decree 476, ordering flags at half-mast nationwide from August 20 to 22 and directing ministries to coordinate a state funeral in line with ceremonial regulations for officials who die in office.

The Foreign Ministry activated urgent diplomatic procedures via Ecuador’s embassy in South Africa to work with Kenyan authorities and partner nations on repatriation, underscoring the gravity of Sensi-Contugi’s death.

The deceased was a dual national born in Italy in 1982, who had served as Interior Minister in 2024, financed Noboa’s 2023 campaign, led CIES, managed three Guayaquil-based companies in plastics and rubber, and invested in scenic flight ventures.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.