DRC army plane crashes in Kenge, killing 14
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A Congolese army plane crashed into a residential area in Kenge, Kwango province, on Friday, killing 14 people. The aircraft was traveling from Kikwit to Kinshasa when it developed a technical fault and attempted an emergency landing. An investigation into the cause has been opened.
Key Facts
- At least 14 people, including senior military officials, were killed in the crash.
- The plane was traveling from Kikwit to Kinshasa when it developed a technical fault and attempted to land in Kenge.
- All those on board died; 12 were burned beyond recognition, while the pilot’s lifeless body was found outside the aircraft.
- An investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the accident.
Crash Details
The plane was travelling to the capital, Kinshasa, from the southwestern city of Kikwit on Friday when it developed a technical fault and attempted to land in Kenge, in Kwango province. Remy Saki Bokinda, deputy governor of Kwango, said: “With no landing strip available in Kenge, the plane crashed into a residential plot.” Congolese military spokesperson Major-General Efomi Ekenge said 14 people had died in the crash. According to the military, among those killed were civilians and members of an official delegation travelling with the two generals, along with other military personnel.
Investigation and Context
An investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the accident, Ekenge said. The DRC, a vast, mineral-rich country in central Africa, has endured decades of conflict, particularly along its eastern border with Rwanda, where several armed groups compete for control of lucrative mining areas. The Congolese military has been battling a number of rebel groups that have claimed key cities in the country since last year.
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