Africa-Press. The head of Ecuador’s intelligence agency, Michel Sensi Contughi, his American wife, and four other American citizens, along with the pilot, were killed in a helicopter crash in Kenya, according to authorities from the United States and Ecuador.
The seven individuals died as a result of the helicopter crash during what was described as a recreational flight in the Samburu region of central Kenya.
American news network ABC reported that the pilot, who also died in the incident, was a Kenyan national.
The Ecuadorian intelligence chief, aged 44, was close to right-wing President Daniel Noboa, who leads the country, and served as his representative in public companies, particularly at the national oil company Petroamazonas.
Sensi Contughi, who was appointed head of intelligence in 2024, had briefly served as Minister of the Interior and was a wealthy businessman in the fashion sector before entering public service.
His wife, Stephanie Holohan, also perished in the crash; she was 42 years old and worked as a fashion designer, and was a friend of Ecuador’s First Lady, Lavinia Valbonisi.
The Ecuadorian National Assembly announced via the platform X that the flag at the parliament building in the capital, Quito, would be flown at half-mast for three days.
The Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority reported that the helicopter, an EC-130 B4 manufactured by the European group now known as Airbus Helicopters, crashed near Mount Ololokwe, approximately 250 kilometers north of the capital, Nairobi.
Frederick Kabunji, director of the aviation accident investigation department, stated that rescue teams found the aircraft completely destroyed due to the impact and the fire that ensued.
The Kenyan Red Cross reported that search and rescue efforts are facing challenges due to difficult terrain and a fire that broke out at the crash site.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Kenya stated that it is in contact with local authorities and is providing consular assistance.
