Kathmandu— A helicopter carrying tourists crashed in northern Kenya on Wednesday, killing all seven people aboard, including Michele Sensi-Contugi, director general of Ecuador’s National Intelligence Center, his wife Stephany Hollihan, and five US citizens. The Eurocopter EC130 B4 went down near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County at approximately 9:13 AM local time while on a charter flight from Loisaba Conservancy toward the Ewaso Nyiro river area, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash.

The Crash and Victims

The helicopter was carrying six passengers and a pilot when it crashed in Samburu County. Among those killed were Michele Sensi-Contugi, Ecuador’s intelligence chief, and his wife Stephany Hollihan, both US citizens. Jose Alberto Suarez, a senior executive at Telemundo, also perished in the accident. The U.S. State Department confirmed that five Americans died and is providing consular assistance to their families.

Ongoing Investigation

The Ministry of Roads and Transport’s Air Accident Investigation Department is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Search and recovery operations are ongoing, but have been hampered by difficult terrain access and an active fire at the crash site. An additional team has been dispatched from Isiolo to reinforce the operation.

Ecuadorian National Mourning

The Ecuadorian presidential office confirmed the deaths of Sensi-Contugi and his wife, declaring three days of national mourning from August 20 to 22. Sensi-Contugi was a close associate of President Daniel Noboa and headed Ecuador’s intelligence service during a period of increased government efforts against criminal organizations.

Recent Regional Helicopter Accidents

This incident marks Kenya’s second fatal helicopter crash in six months; an Airbus AS350 B3 crashed in Nandi County in February, killing six people including a lawmaker. In December, five people, including two Czech tourists, died when a medical rescue helicopter crashed on Mount Kilimanjaro in neighboring Tanzania.

Search and recovery efforts continue as investigators work to determine the cause of the crash.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.