Seven people have died after a tourist helicopter crashed in Kenya’s northern Samburu County, among them Ecuador’s intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife, Stephany Hollihan. Five of the victims were American citizens, according to the US State Department.
The helicopter crashed on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at about 9:13 a.m. local time near Mount Ololokwe, a popular tourist destination in Samburu County. The aircraft was carrying six passengers and a pilot when it went down during a scenic flight.
Kenyan aviation authorities said the helicopter was a Eurocopter EC130 B4 operated by Lady Lori Helicopters. It had reportedly departed from the Loisaba Conservancy and was travelling towards the Ewaso Nyiro area when the accident occurred.
All seven people aboard were killed in the crash. Emergency responders faced difficult conditions at the site because the aircraft came down in rugged terrain and a fire broke out following the accident, complicating recovery efforts.
Ecuadorian authorities later confirmed the deaths of Sensi-Contugi and his wife. Sensi-Contugi served as director of Ecuador’s National Intelligence Center and had been appointed to the position in 2024. He was also regarded as a close associate of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa.
The death of the intelligence chief represents a significant loss for Ecuador’s government, particularly as the country continues to deal with serious security challenges.
The US State Department confirmed that five American citizens were among those killed. The department said the US Embassy in Nairobi was working with Kenyan authorities and providing consular assistance to the victims’ families.
One of the American victims was José Alberto Suárez, a senior executive with Telemundo who had held leadership positions at several television stations in the United States. His death has prompted tributes from colleagues and people within the US media industry.
Another victim was reportedly Miami businessman Roger Duarte, while the remaining victims included other American citizens and the Kenyan pilot.
The helicopter was carrying guests associated with luxury safari operator &Beyond. The company and the helicopter operator have been cooperating with authorities following the accident.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation into the crash. Officials have not yet established what caused the helicopter to go down.
Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, its flight path and other circumstances surrounding the journey as they work to determine what happened before the crash.
The accident occurred in a region known for wildlife tourism and scenic helicopter flights. Samburu County attracts visitors from different parts of the world because of its wildlife reserves, landscapes and tourist facilities.
The tragedy has once again raised concerns about aviation safety in Kenya, where helicopters are frequently used to transport tourists to remote areas that can be difficult to reach by road.
For the families of the seven victims, the crash has brought sudden and devastating loss. Authorities from Kenya, Ecuador and the United States are involved in different aspects of the response and are working to support those affected.
As investigations continue, officials are expected to provide more information about the circumstances surrounding the accident.
For now, the cause remains unknown, while the deaths of seven people, including Ecuador’s intelligence chief and five American citizens, have drawn international attention to the tragedy.
Source: Thepressradio.com
