Long Reads
Five Americans, Ecuador intelligence chief killed in tourist helicopter crash in Kenya | CNN
Five Americans and the head of Ecuador’s intelligence agency died after a helicopter carrying tourists crashed in central Kenya Wednesday.
Five Americans and the head of Ecuador’s intelligence agency died after a helicopter carrying tourists crashed in central Kenya Wednesday.
The aircraft was traveling from the Loisaba wildlife conservancy to the Ewaso Ngiro river area when it crashed around 9:13 a.m. at Mount Ololokwe in Samburu county, north of the capital, Nairobi, according to the country’s civil aviation authority.
All seven people on board the aircraft died, Samburu County Police Commander David Nkoroi told reporters.
The helicopter was carrying guests from the luxury tour agency &Beyond on a charter flight, according to operator Lady Lori Helicopters.
The cause of the crash has not been determined and an investigation is underway, the country’s civil aviation agency said.
Seven people were killed in a helicopter crash in central Kenya, according to the country’s civil aviation authority. Five Americans and the director general of Ecuador’s intelligence agency were among those who died.
Michele Sensi-Contugi, the director general of Ecuador’s intelligence agency, and his wife, fashion designer Stephany Hollihan, were killed in the crash, according to Ecuadorian authorities.
Ecuador’s presidential office offered condolences to Sensi-Contugi’s family in a post on Wednesday afternoon. The country’s foreign ministry said its embassy in South Africa is coordinating with local authorities and allies in the region, given it does not have a diplomatic mission in Kenya.
“The death of (Sensi-Contugi) represents a great loss for the country,” the ministry said in its statement.
Hollihan was the founder and CEO of Sensi Studio, which issued a statement Wednesday expressing its condolences. “Her passion for design, craftsmanship, and the people behind it shaped the brand and all of us who had the privilege of being part of her journey,” the company said.
An executive of the American Spanish-language television company Telemundo, José Suárez, was also among those killed in the crash, the company said. Suárez was president and general manager of multiple Telemundo-owned stations.
“The US Embassy is in touch with local authorities and is providing consular assistance,” said a State Department spokesperson, who confirmed the deaths of the five Americans. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones on their loss.”
Samburu county is a popular tourist destination, with private wildlife conservancies and remote landscape.
The Kenyan Red Cross said earlier search and recovery efforts were “hampered by difficult terrain access and an active fire at the crash site,” alongside photos of smoke rising from a crash site.
“An additional team has been dispatched from Isiolo to reinforce the operation,” it said in the post on X.
The helicopter, a Eurocopter EC130 B4, now known as the Airbus H130, is a single-engine craft with a max speed of about 178 mph (286 kph). It can carry five to seven people and one pilot.
This story has been updated with additional information.
CNN’s Abel Alvarado, Alexandra Skores and Diego Mendoza contributed to this report.
Take a break. Sharpen your mind.
Trivia, word games, puzzles and more—fresh challenges are waiting every day.
Explore all gamesRelated Articles
Episode 8 — The Last Secret Eleanor Took to Her Grave
Richard had just told Michael that Arthur’s name had been removed from an old hospital record. For several seconds, Michael said nothing. Then he asked the only question that mattered. “Are you my father or not?” Richard looked away. “I told you. I believed I was.” “That isn’t an answer.” “It’s the only one I have.” Michael stood so quickly his chair scraped across the floor. “You let me come here thinking you knew.” “I thought I did.” “For forty-nine years?” Richard lowered his eyes
My Husband hide a key in our wedding album then his mother begged me not to use
My husband was unconscious in the emergency room when his mother grabbed my wrist and whispered, “Whatever you find in his wallet, don’t go to that house.” I stared at her. “What house?” Her face changed immediately. “I shouldn’t have said anything.” That was when the nurse returned Daniel’s belongings to me. His phone. His watch. His wedding ring.
My Mother Ran Away to Protect Me—Then I Learned What My Father Planned for My Husband
The second paragraph of my biological mother’s letter said: Robert was going to take Daniel away. And Thomas helped him prepare the papers. I stopped reading. My father was still on speakerphone. “Dad.” Silence.
Recommended for You
The DNA Report Said My Husband and I Were Related—Then I Saw Where the Samples Came From
“The report says we’re related.” Daniel’s words stayed in my ear. I was still standing beside Lena at the bus station. “How related?” He didn’t answer. “Daniel.” “First cousins.” My stomach turned. Lena grabbed my arm. “That’s impossible.” Daniel heard her. “Apparently not.” “Read the laboratory name,” Lena said.
My Real Father Was the Reason Robert Took Daniel—And He’s Still Alive
Three seconds after Lena’s voicemail ended, Anna said, “I know who Claire’s father is.” Everyone turned toward her. I felt Daniel’s hand tighten around mine. “What did you say?” Anna didn’t look at me. She looked at Marianne. And Marianne suddenly looked terrified. “You promised me,” Marianne whispered. Anna shook her head. “No more promises.” I stepped between them. “You both know?” Marianne closed her eyes.
My Father Admitted He Brought My Husband Into This Family—But Why?
My father called back eleven minutes later and said, “Claire, before I tell you anything, get Daniel out of that house.” I looked across the dusty bedroom. Daniel was still holding the hospital bracelet with his biological mother’s name on it. “Why?” “Because you’re not alone.” Every hair on my arms lifted. I turned toward the hallway. Nothing. “Dad, what are you talking about?” “The house.” “What about it?” “There’s someone else there.” Daniel heard him. He walked toward me. “Put
Join the discussion
No comments yet. Start the conversation.