Ecuador’s intel chief, 5 Americans killed in Kenya helicopter crash

Ecuador's intelligence chief and five American citizens perished in a helicopter crash in central Kenya on Wednesday, according to officials. The accident occurred in Samburu County, north of Nairobi, with the aircraft taking off from the Loisaba wildlife reserve. All seven individuals on board, including one pilot and six passengers, were killed, as confirmed by Fredrick Kabunge of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID). No survivors were reported.

The crash site, located near Mount Ololokwe, a sacred mountain for the Samburu people, was in flames, hampering rescue efforts due to the challenging terrain. Ecuador's Transport Minister Roberto Luque confirmed that the deceased included Michele Sensi-Contugi, Ecuador's intelligence chief and his wife. Sensi-Contugi, a former businessman, was appointed as head of Ecuador's National Intelligence Center in 2024 and was a close associate of President Daniel Noboa, who has positioned the country as a key US partner in the fight against drug cartels.

The US State Department confirmed the deaths of five American citizens but did not disclose their identities. NBCUniversal, citing Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo, reported that Jose Alberto Suarez, a senior manager in Florida, also died in the crash. The cause of the accident has yet to be determined, with the KCAA stating that investigations are currently underway.