Five Americans were killed Wednesday when a charter helicopter crashed in a mountainous region of northern Kenya, according to the U.S. State Department.
Seven people were aboard the aircraft when it went down around 9 a.m. near Kirish in Samburu County, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said.
Among those killed was reportedly Telemundo executive José Suárez, a longtime NBCUniversal leader who oversaw multiple television stations in Florida as president and general manager.
Suárez’s death was confirmed to employees by NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde, according to NBC News.
The helicopter was operated by Lady Lori Helicopters and was traveling on a charter flight from Suyian Conservancy, a sprawling 44,000-acre private wildlife refuge, to Ololokwe when it crashed near Mount Ololokwe.
The aircraft was identified as a Eurocopter EC130 B4 registered as 5Y-GYM.
Lady Lori said it was devastated by the deadly crash.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the guests, crew, their families and loved ones, and all those affected by this tragic accident,” Lady Lori said in a post on social media.
A helicopter taking tourists on a safari crashed Wednesday in a remote part of northern Kenya, killing all seven people on board, including five Americans. https://t.co/yoPtnYM82x pic.twitter.com/ei78V5zo9W
— CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil (@CBSEveningNews) August 19, 2026
The company said the cause of the crash remains unknown and will be investigated by the appropriate authorities.
Officials have not publicly released a complete list of the victims.
The U.S. Embassy is working with Kenyan authorities and providing consular assistance to the families of the Americans killed.
The State Department said protecting U.S. citizens abroad remains a top priority for the Trump administration.
“The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans,” the State Department said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones on their loss.”
The crash occurred in a rugged part of Kenya known for wildlife tourism and remote conservancies, where helicopters are frequently used to move visitors between isolated destinations.
Investigators are now expected to examine the aircraft, weather conditions and flight operations as they work to determine what caused the helicopter to go down.
Suárez’s reported death adds a prominent name to the tragedy, particularly in Florida, where he held a major leadership role in Spanish-language television.
Authorities have not yet announced when additional details about the crash or the identities of the remaining victims will be released.
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