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
Authorities in Kenya say that all seven people on board a safari helicopter - six passengers and a pilot - were killed on Wednesday when the chopper crashed in the foothills of the popular but remote tourist destination, Mount Ololokwe.
Kenya's Civil Aviation Authority said the group's Eurocopter EC130 B4 helicopter crashed at 9:13 am (0613 GMT) after departing the Loisaba wildlife reserve en route to the Ewaso Nyiro area in Samburu County, north of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, adding that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.
Video footage on social media showed the smoking wreckage of the helicopter strewn about, smouldering and burning in thickly wooded terrain.
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What do we know about the victims of the Kenya crash?
The US State Department said that five of the six passengers killed were US citizens.
"The US Embassy is in touch with local authorities and is providing consular assistance," read a statement. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones on their loss."
An executive at Telemundo - a US-based Spanish-language television channel owned by Comcast/NBCUniversal - was reportedly among the victims.
Michele Sensi-Contugi, director of Ecuador's Strategic Intelligence Centre, was as well, and so was his wife, who also held US citizenship.
Sensi-Contugi, a former businessman, was a close friend and associate of Ecuador's right-wing President Daniel Noboa, who appointed him head of national intelligence in 2024.
"In this moment of deep sorrow, the government extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones and close associates," Ecuador's presidency said in a statement on X.
More accidents as tourism grows
Numerous travel companies offer helicopter tours to remote places like Mount Ololokwe.
But as Kenya's tourism sector has grown, so, too, has the frequency of helicopter crashes.
In February, another chopper went down in the wilderness, killing all six on board, including a parliamentarian.
