Samburu County: Seven people, including Ecuador’s intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife Stephany, were killed when a tourist helicopter crashed in northern Kenya on Wednesday, officials said.
All seven people on board killed
The helicopter had departed from the Loisaba wildlife reserve and was flying towards the Ewaso Nyiro area when it crashed in Samburu County, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
Aircraft Accident Investigation Department director Fredrick Kabunge said there were seven people aboard — one pilot and six passengers — and that nobody survived.
The Kenya Red Cross shared images showing the crash site engulfed in flames. Rescue and recovery operations were reportedly complicated by the difficult terrain and were suspended overnight because of darkness.
Ecuador intelligence chief among victims
Ecuador’s Transport Minister Roberto Luque confirmed that Sensi-Contugi, 42, and his wife were among those killed. Sensi-Contugi had served as head of Ecuador’s National Intelligence Center since 2024 and was considered a close associate of President Daniel Noboa.
The US State Department confirmed that five American citizens also died, although their identities were not immediately released.
US-based Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo identified one victim as Jose Alberto Suarez, a senior manager in Florida.
Investigation into crash underway
The helicopter was carrying tourists on a scenic flight, officials said. The crash occurred near Mount Ololokwe, a sacred mountain for the Samburu people and a popular destination for hikers and scenic helicopter flights.
The cause of the crash has not yet been established. Kenyan aviation authorities have begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The incident comes months after another helicopter crash in western Kenya killed six people, including a member of Parliament.