Helicopter Crash in Kenya Claims Lives of Ecuadorian Intelligence Chief and Five Americans

Ecuador's intelligence chief and five American citizens died in a helicopter crash in Kenya on Wednesday.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said the helicopter was flying from the Loisaba wildlife conservancy to the Ewaso Ngiro river area when it went down.

The crash happened on Wednesday morning at Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, which is north of Nairobi, the capital city.

The aviation agency noted that an investigation is ongoing to find out what caused the crash.

The BBC reported that the helicopter, owned by Lady Lori Helicopters, was carrying guests on a tour around the Loisaba wildlife conservancy to Ewaso Nyiro, a river that flows through several national reserves.

All seven people on the helicopter, including the pilot, died in the accident.

The Ecuadorian intelligence director was named Michele Sensi-Contugi. His wife, an Ecuadorian American who was also on board, was identified as Stephany Hollihan.

Ecuador confirmed his death in the helicopter crash in Kenya later on X.

The Ecuadorian presidency, in a statement on X, said, "At this moment of deep sorrow, the government extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones and close associates."

The country's foreign ministry said its embassy in South Africa is working with local authorities and partners in the region since it does not have a diplomatic mission in Kenya.

"The death of (Sensi-Contugi) represents a great loss for the country," the ministry said in its statement.

The US State Department confirmed that the other five victims were US citizens.

"The US embassy is in touch with local authorities and is providing consular assistance," it said. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones on their loss."

However, the identities of the victims have not been revealed.

The Guardian reported that Jose Suarez, an executive at Telemundo, the US-based Spanish-language network owned by NBCUniversal, was also on the helicopter.

"We are heartbroken to learn the tragic news that José was killed in a helicopter accident in Kenya," the NBC affiliate in Miami said.

The Kenyan Red Cross earlier said that search and recovery efforts were "hampered by difficult terrain access and an active fire at the crash site," along with photos showing smoke rising from the crash site.

"An additional team has been dispatched from Isiolo to reinforce the operation," it said in a post on X.