Helicopter crashes into a mountain in Kenya, killing Ecuador’s intelligence chief and five Americans

A tragic air accident in Kenya claimed the lives of five American citizens and the director-general of Ecuador’s intelligence agency on Wednesday.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority announced that the helicopter, carrying seven people, crashed on Wednesday morning on Mount Ololokwe in the central part of the country.

Ecuador’s state media reported that those killed included the director-general of Ecuador’s intelligence agency, Michele Sensi-Contugi, and his wife.

According to Telemundo, the accident also claimed the life of its executive director, José Suárez.

In a post on the social network X, the Office of the President of Ecuador expressed its condolences to Sensi-Contugi’s family.

The deaths of the five Americans were meanwhile confirmed by a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State. He said the U.S. Embassy was working with Kenyan authorities and providing consular assistance.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones for their loss,” the spokesperson said.

The Kenya Red Cross announced that search-and-rescue efforts and the recovery of the victims were continuing. Operations are being hampered by the rugged terrain and a fire that remains active at the helicopter crash site.

Another team has departed from Isiolo to support the search-and-rescue operation. The causes of the accident are not yet known.