Kenya: Helicopter crash kills 7, including Ecuador spy boss
Six passengers — five US citizens and Ecuador's intel boss — all died in a remote area of Kenya on Wednesday when their helicopter crashed. Aviation accidents in Kenya have increased as tourism expands in the country.
A helicopter crash in Kenya's Mount Ololokwe region claimed the lives of seven people, including an Ecuadorian spy chief and his wife, according to authorities. The Eurocopter EC130 B4 helicopter crashed at 9:13 a.m. local time after departing the Loisaba wildlife reserve en route to Ewaso Nyiro in Samburu County, north of Nairobi.
The US State Department confirmed that five of the six passengers were US citizens. Michele Sensi-Contugi, director of Ecuador's Strategic Intelligence Center and a close ally of President Daniel Noboa, was among the fatalities. Ecuador's presidency expressed deep sorrow over the loss and offered condolences to Sensi-Contugi's family and colleagues.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges and risks associated with helicopter tourism in remote areas, especially as Kenya's tourism sector continues to grow.
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