Ecuador Intelligence Chief, Five Americans Killed in Kenya Helicopter Crash

Ecuador's intelligence chief, Michele Sensi-Contugi, and his wife, Stephany Hollihan, were killed in a helicopter crash at Mount Ololokwe in central Kenya on Wednesday.

Seven people died in total, including six tourists and the pilot. Five of the victims were Americans; Stephany Hollihan also held US citizenship. Jose Alberto Suarez, a senior executive at the US-based Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo, was also killed. The Eurocopter EC130 B4 crashed in Samburu County at approximately 09:13 (06:13 GMT) on Wednesday. The helicopter was on a scenic flight from a wildlife conservancy in Loisaba to Ewaso Nyiro.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the accident and initiated an investigation. Search and recovery operations were hampered by difficult terrain and an active fire at the crash site, leading to operations being suspended until Thursday due to darkness. Michele Sensi-Contugi, 44, was named director of Ecuador's Centre of Strategic Intelligence (CIES) in January 2024 by President Daniel Noboa.

He had previously served four months as a minister in Noboa's cabinet and was considered a close ally and personal friend of the president. Ecuador's presidency and National Assembly expressed condolences, and President Noboa declared three days of national mourning starting Thursday. Stephany Hollihan, 42, was a fashion designer who founded Sensi Studio, known for incorporating traditional Ecuadorean elements.

She held dual citizenship in the United States and Ecuador. Lady Lori Helicopters operated the aircraft, and luxury safari operator &Beyond organized the excursion. Samburu County is a popular tourist destination known for its wildlife conservancies and landscapes.