At least 14 killed as Congolese army plane crashes in Kwango province

At least 14 people were killed on Friday when a Congolese army plane crashed in Kenge, in the southwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to military and provincial officials. The aircraft was travelling from Kikwit to the capital, Kinshasa, when it developed a technical problem and attempted to land in Kenge, Kwango province. Remy Saki Bokinda, the province’s deputy governor, said there was no landing strip available in the town and that the plane crashed into a residential plot.

Congolese military spokesperson Major-General Efomi Ekenge said all those on board died. He said 12 bodies were burned beyond recognition, while the pilot’s body was found outside the aircraft. The military said the victims included civilians, members of an official delegation travelling with two generals and other military personnel.

Bokinda separately confirmed that most of the bodies had been badly burned. Ekenge said an investigation had been opened to establish the cause of the crash. The supplied material does not provide further details about the aircraft, the number of people on board or possible casualties on the ground.

The crash occurred in a country where the military is fighting several rebel groups. The source material says the DRC has experienced decades of conflict, particularly along its eastern border with Rwanda, where armed groups compete for control of mineral-rich areas. It also says rebels have claimed key cities since last year.

However, no connection between the conflict and Friday’s crash was reported by the officials cited.