Ecuador intelligence chief and five Americans killed in Kenya helicopter crash
Ecuador's Top Spy and Five Americans Dead in Kenya Helicopter Disaster
Ninoda.com – Seven people lost their lives when a helicopter went down in Samburu county, Kenya, on Wednesday morning. The crash occurred at roughly 09:13 local time (06:13 GMT) on Mount Ololokwe, a wooded ridge in one of East Africa's most scenic wildlife regions.
Among the dead were Michele Sensi-Contugi, 44, who serves as director general of Ecuador's Strategic Intelligence Center, and his wife, Stephany Hollihan. The remaining five fatalities were U.S. citizens, according to a spokesperson for the State Department.
The Flight and Crash Site
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed the aircraft had been conducting a scenic tour, departing from the Loisaba wildlife conservancy and heading toward the Ewaso Nyiro river, which threads through several national reserves. Footage from the scene captured thick smoke rising from the still-burning wreckage as Kenya Red Cross personnel moved toward the site.
The operator, Lady Lori Helicopters, flew a Eurocopter EC130 B4 on the ill-fated flight. In a public statement, the company said it was "deeply saddened" by the event.
"Our deepest sympathies are with the guests, crew, their families and loved ones, and all those affected by this tragic accident."
Ecuador Reacts
Quito's presidential office issued tributes on behalf of the government, expressing grief over the loss of its intelligence chief. Former President Guillermo Lasso publicly acknowledged that Sensi-Contugi had perished in the crash. The government offered no further details about the circumstances of his death.
Americans Identified
According to an internal memo reviewed by CBS News, one of the American victims was José Alberto Suárez, a journalist at NBCUniversal. The company described him in the memo as follows:
"A deeply respected leader and beloved friend and colleague. José was an exceptional colleague and mentor to many."
Miami restaurateur Roger Duarte was also confirmed among the dead, per local and U.S. media reports. U.S. Representative Carlos Antonio Gimenez posted on X:
"Our prayers are with their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. May their memories be a blessing."
The identities of the four remaining American victims had not been released as of reporting time. Initial accounts described the seven aboard as six tourists and a pilot.
A Pattern of Helicopter Losses
Kenya's aviation record shows that rotorcraft accidents, while not daily occurrences, recur with troubling frequency. In February, a helicopter went down in Nandi county in the Rift Valley, killing six people including a member of parliament. In 2024, Army Chief of Staff General Francis Omondi Ogolla died when a military helicopter carrying 11 people crashed in western Kenya; only two survived. Going further back, at least ten soldiers were killed in June 2021 when their helicopter crashed during a landing approach near Nairobi.
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