Kenya’s military chief was one of nine people killed in a helicopter crash on Thursday, President William Ruto said.

Kenya Defense Forces Commander-in-Chief General Francis Ogola and 11 other military personnel were on board the helicopter. Two people survived the crash and were hospitalized.

The helicopter crashed in the country’s western Rift Valley shortly after takeoff and burst into flames, local media reported.

Ruto called the incident a “tragic moment” at a press conference.

“Our country has lost one of its most heroic generals,” Ruto said. “General Ogola’s death is a painful loss for me.”

Previously, Ruto had convened an emergency meeting of the Kenyan Security Council.

Ogola joined the Kenya Defense Forces in 1984, trained as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force and served as an instructor pilot in the Kenyan Air Force, according to a Department of Defense profile.

Ogora eventually served as commander of the Kenya Air Force and was later promoted to deputy chief of military staff.

Ruto promoted Ogola to lead the army last year. At the time, Ruto accused Ogola of being involved in attempts to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election but said he was the most qualified person to hold the position.

Some information comes from Reuters.