An Ecuadorian intelligence chief, Michele Sensi-Contugi, age 44, and his wife, fashion designer Stephany Hollihan, 42, were among seven people killed in a helicopter crash in Kenya’s Samburu County.
The incident occurred around 09:13 local time (06:13 GMT) on Wednesday near Mount Ololokwe.
The group included six tourists and the pilot. According to a US State Department spokesperson, five of the victims were Americans. Reuters reports that Hollihan also held US citizenship.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) stated that the helicopter was on a scenic flight from a wildlife conservancy in Loisaba to Ewaso Nyiro, a river passing through several national reserves. Samburu County is a popular tourist area known for its picturesque landscapes and private wildlife conservancies.
Images from the crash site show smoke billowing from the wreckage on Mount Ololokwe’s wooded hillside, as rescue teams from the Kenya Red Cross work to recover those involved.
