
A tourist helicopter crashed in northern Kenya on Wednesday, killing all seven people on board, including Ecuador’s intelligence chief, his wife and a Telemundo executive.
The aircraft, a Eurocopter EC130 B4 operated by Lady Lori Helicopters, went down at 9:13 a.m. local time while flying from Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro area in Samburu County, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority . The crash occurred in rugged terrain near Mount Ololokwe, a popular tourist destination.
Ecuador’s Transport Minister Roberto Luque confirmed on X that Michele Sensi-Contugi, the 42-year-old director of the country’s National Intelligence Center, and his wife, Stephany Hollihan, were among the dead . Sensi-Contugi, a former businessman appointed in 2024, was a close associate of President Daniel Noboa. Hollihan, a U.S. citizen, was a fashion designer and friend of Ecuador’s first lady, Lavinia Valbonesi.
NBCUniversal confirmed that José Alberto Suárez, president and general manager of Telemundo stations in Florida, also died in the crash . A U.S. State Department spokesperson said five Americans were killed and that the embassy was providing consular assistance .
The helicopter was carrying guests from the luxury tour operator &Beyond, according to a statement from the company . The Kenya Red Cross reported that search and recovery efforts were hindered by difficult terrain and a fire at the crash site .
Ecuador’s government declared three days of national mourning. The presidency extended condolences to Sensi-Contugi’s family, while Vice President María José Pinto described the loss as “very sad and painful” in a post on X .
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway . Tropic Air Kenya dispatched two helicopters to assist in the search and rescue operations .
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