Ecuador spy chief, his wife among 7 killed in Kenya helicopter crash

The helicopter was flying to the Loisaba Conservancy, a wildlife reserve and safari destination in northern Kenya, when it crashed, according to a preliminary police report.

In Short

• Aircraft was headed to Loisaba Conservancy, a northern Kenya safari reserve
• Authorities said six passengers and the pilot died in the helicopter crash
• Ecuador presidential office confirmed that spy chief, his American wife were killed

Seven people, including five Americans and Ecuador's intelligence head, were killed on Wednesday when the tourist helicopter they were flying in crashed in Kenya's Samburu county.

The aircraft was flying to the Loisaba Conservancy, a wildlife reserve and safari destination in northern Kenya, when it crashed, according to a preliminary report from Archers Post police station seen by Reuters.

All seven people – six passengers and one pilot -- were killed, authorities said.

A State Department spokesperson said five Americans were among the dead, while Ecuador's presidential office confirmed intelligence head Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife Stephany Hollihan – who held US citizenship – were also killed.

"The U.S. Embassy is in touch with local authorities and is providing consular assistance," the State Department said.

The preliminary police report listed Sensi-Contugi and his wife as tourists.

Luxury tour agency &Beyond, which offered the excursion the tourists were on, said in a statement that the cause of the crash was yet to be determined.

The Kenya Red Cross said that search and recovery efforts were being hampered by difficult terrain and a fire at the crash site.

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