Ecuador's spy chief among 7 dead in Kenya copter crash

Ecuador's intelligence chief and six other individuals perished when a helicopter carrying tourists crashed in central Kenya today, according to officials. The unfortunate incident occurred at 09.13 am local time (7.13 Irish time) in Samburu county, north of Nairobi, following the aircraft's departure from the Loisaba wildlife reserve.

Images shared by the Kenya Red Cross on X showed a burning crash site. Seven people were on board, including one pilot and six passengers, as confirmed by Fredrick Kabunge, director of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID). The identities of the deceased, excluding the pilot, were not disclosed. Ecuador's Transport Minister Roberto Luque confirmed that the country's intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife were among the fatalities.

Sensi-Contugi, a 42-year-old former businessman, was appointed as head of Ecuador's National Intelligence Center in 2024. He had close ties to right-wing President Daniel Noboa, whose nation is grappling with a security crisis. The US State Department reported that five American citizens lost their lives in the crash, and the US Embassy in Kenya is providing consular assistance and expressing condolences to the affected families, without revealing their identities due to privacy concerns.

Kabunge stated that the helicopter was en route for a scenic flight. A video shared on X showed black smoke rising from the crash site near Mount Ololokwe, a sacred mountain revered by the Samburu people, standing at an elevation of 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) and a favored hiking destination. Helicopter tours operate in the area.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with KCAA stating that inquiries are ongoing. A similar helicopter accident in western Kenya in March claimed six lives, including that of a member of parliament.