Ecuador’s intelligence chief, six others killed in Kenya helicopter crash

NAIROBI, Aug. 20 (YPA) – The head of Ecuador’s intelligence service, Michele Sensi-Contugi, his American wife, four other US citizens, and a Kenyan pilot were killed when their helicopter crashed during a leisure flight in central Kenya’s Samburu region.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said the aircraft, an Airbus Helicopters EC130 B4, came down near Mount Ololokwe, north of Nairobi. The helicopter was completely destroyed following the impact and a subsequent fire, with rescue teams encountering severe challenges at the scene due to the rugged terrain.

Sensi-Contugi, 44, a former interior minister appointed intelligence chief in 2024, was a close ally of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and served as his representative to the state-owned oil company, Petroecuador.

Following the incident, Ecuador’s National Assembly announced that flags would be flown at half-mast for three days of mourning, while the US Embassy confirmed it is providing the necessary consular assistance.

YPA