Seven people, including Ecuador’s intelligence chief and five Americans, were killed when a tourist helicopter crashed in northern Kenya on Wednesday morning.
The Eurocopter EC130 B4, operated by Lady Lori Helicopters, went down in Samburu County at approximately 09:13 local time while on a scenic flight from the Loisaba wildlife conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro river, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said.
Victims identified
Michele Sensi-Contugi, 44, who was named director general of Ecuador’s Strategic Intelligence Center in 2024, was among those killed along with his wife Stephany Hollihan, a fashion designer. Ecuador’s president’s office led tributes on behalf of the government.
Former Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso confirmed Sensi-Contugi’s death in a statement. The five American victims included NBCUniversal journalist Jose Alberto Suarez, according to a memo seen by CBS News. The US State Department confirmed the American deaths.
Kenya Red Cross authorities responded to the crash site in the remote Samburu region, a popular safari destination about 300 kilometers north of Nairobi. Early reports indicated seven people were on board, six passengers and a pilot.
Investigation underway
Lady Lori Helicopters said it was deeply saddened by the accident. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has opened an investigation into the cause of the crash. Helicopter accidents are not uncommon in Kenya; in February, a crash in Rift Valley’s Nandi County killed six people including a member of parliament.
Sensi-Contugi’s death is likely to raise questions in Ecuador about the security protocols surrounding the intelligence chief’s travel. Ecuador has faced escalating security challenges in recent years, including gang violence and political instability.
The crash comes at a time of heightened international attention to East Africa’s tourism sector, which has seen a recovery in visitor numbers following the pandemic. Kenya’s aviation safety record has been under scrutiny after a tourist plane crash in October 2025 killed 11 people.
Sources: BBC; CNN; Reuters; AP News
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