The head of Ecuador's intelligence unit and his wife died after a helicopter crashed near a wildlife conservation area in Kenya, with five Americans also killed in the incident.
Foreign news agencies reported that Mr. Michel Senchy-Gontouji, head of Ecuador's Strategic Intelligence Office, and his wife Stephanie Hollihan died after their helicopter crashed in Kenya on Wednesday, 19 Aug 2026. Additionally, five Americans also died in the accident.
The helicopter crashed near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County at around 09:13 local time, resulting in seven fatalities. The Kenya Red Cross stated they have not yet been able to reach the crash site but are using drones to survey and assess the situation.
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) reported that the Eurocopter EC130 B4 was on a sightseeing flight between the Loisaba wildlife conservancy and the Ewaso Nyiro River, which runs through several nature reserves.
Ecuador’s Prime Minister's Office issued a statement expressing condolences for the deaths of Mr. Senchy-Gontouji and Mrs. Hollihan. Former President Guillermo Lasso also posted messages mourning the loss.
The U.S. Department of State confirmed that five Americans died in the incident, though their identities have not yet been officially confirmed.
Helicopter accidents have occurred frequently in Kenya. In February, a crash in Nandi County in the Rift Valley resulted in six deaths, including a member of parliament.
In 2024, General Francis Omondi Okolla, Kenya's military chief, died when an army helicopter carrying 11 people crashed in northern Kenya, with only two survivors.
In June 2021, at least 10 soldiers died when their helicopter crashed while landing near Nairobi, Kenya’s capital.
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Source:bbc