A senior Telemundo executive was among seven people killed when a helicopter crashed near the foothills of Mount Ololokwe in northern Kenya on Wednesday morning.
The victim, Florida native José Alberto Suárez, 55, was aboard the helicopter when it went down at about 9:13 a.m. in Samburu County, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
Suárez’s death was confirmed in a memo to employees signed by NBC Universal News Chairman Cesar Conde, NBCU Local Chairman Valari Staab and Telemundo Station Group President Jose Cancela.
Among the other victims were Michele Sensi-Contugi, the director general of Ecuador’s intelligence agency, and his wife, Stephany Hollihan Vasconez, a U.S. dual citizen, according to CNN.
The remaining victims were identified by their families as Roger Duarte, Adam Hlavaty, Henry Parra and the helicopter’s pilot, Josh Outram.
The aircraft was engulfed in flames following the crash near Mount Ololokwe, a prominent landmark in Samburu County.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the circumstances that led to the crash. Investigations are expected to determine the cause of the accident and the events leading up to the helicopter going down.
The deaths have prompted condolences from colleagues, families and associates of those who were on board, as authorities continue efforts to establish the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
