Seven people, including five American citizens, were killed on Wednesday when a tourist helicopter crashed in a remote area of northern Kenya, authorities and officials confirmed.

The Eurocopter EC130 B4, registered 5Y-GYM, was carrying six passengers and one pilot when it went down near Kirish, close to Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Aero Time reported.

The accident occurred at approximately 09:13 local time as the helicopter was flying from Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro area.

The aircraft was operated by Lady Lori Helicopters and was carrying guests of luxury safari company &Beyond.

"We can confirm that on the morning of August 19, an aircraft registered as 5Y-GYM, carrying &Beyond guests, crashed near Kirish, close to Mt. Ololokwe in Samburu County, Kenya," &Beyond said in a statement, according to Aero Time.

Lady Lori Helicopters, identifying the aircraft as operating a charter flight from Suyian Conservancy to Ololokwe, said it was "deeply saddened to confirm" the accident, adding that its "deepest sympathies are with the guests, crew, their families and loved ones, and all those affected by this tragic accident."

Victims Identified

The US State Department confirmed that five American citizens were among those killed, with a spokesperson saying the US Embassy was "in touch with local authorities and is providing consular assistance," Aero Time reported.

Among the victims named were Michele Sensi-Contugi, director of Ecuador's National Intelligence Center, and his wife, Stephany Hollihan Vasconez, a dual US-Ecuadorian citizen.

According to Sky News, the couple, who have two children, were on holiday in Kenya at the time of the crash. Ecuador's presidency extended condolences "to his family, loved ones, and close associates" in a statement, according to Sky News.

Also killed was José Alberto Suárez, a senior Telemundo executive based in Florida. Cesar Conde, chair of NBCUniversal News Group, confirmed that Suárez, president and general manager of the Telemundo-owned stations in Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Myers, was killed in the crash, describing him as "an exceptional colleague and mentor," Sky News reported.

Luxury tour operator &Beyond told Reuters it had guests on board the aircraft but did not specify how many.

Search and Investigation

The Kenya Red Cross joined a multiagency response at the crash site, with the remote and mountainous terrain complicating efforts to reach the wreckage, Aero Time reported.

Tropic Air Kenya, a local safari operator, also sent helicopters to assist with the search and rescue effort, according to Sky News.

Kenya's Air Accident Investigation Department is leading the investigation into the crash.

About the Aircraft and Region

The EC130 B4 is a seven-seat, single-engine helicopter developed by Eurocopter, now part of Airbus Helicopters. The type is widely used for sightseeing and charter flights due to its large cabin, low external noise, and unobstructed views.

Mount Ololokwe, also known as Ol Donyo Sabache, is a popular hiking and wildlife tourism destination in the Samburu region. Loisaba Conservancy and the Ewaso Nyiro River form part of Kenya's northern safari circuit.

Wednesday's crash follows another fatal helicopter accident in western Kenya in February, in which a Kenyan politician was among six people killed.

Sources: Aero Time, Sky News