Army Plane Crash in Congo’s Kenge Kills at Least 17

At least 17 people were killed when a Congolese army plane crashed into a residential area in Kenge, in the southwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo, officials said.

The aircraft was flying from Kikwit to Kinshasa when it developed a technical fault and attempted to land in Kenge, according to the reported account of the incident. It struck a residential plot and caught fire after hitting the ground.

Death toll revised after fire was controlled

Remy Saki Bokinda, deputy governor of Kwango province, said the initial death toll of 13 was revised after the fire on the wreckage was brought under control.

“We discovered 16 bodies of adults and the body of a baby, bringing the total to 17,” Bokinda said.

He also said the aircraft crashed into a residential plot because Kenge had no landing strip available. The available information does not specify the nature of the technical fault or the aircraft model.

Two generals among the victims

The Congolese army identified Lieutenant General Joseph Mutombo and Lieutenant General Lucien-Rene Likulia among those killed. The two generals had been travelling on an official mission.

The crash occurred as the plane attempted to land in Kenge, a location in Kwango province. No further details were provided about the total number of people aboard the aircraft.

Investigation ordered

President Felix Tshisekedi’s office said he had instructed the competent authorities to establish the exact circumstances and causes of the accident.

The president also sent condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, as well as to the security forces, according to his office.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has endured prolonged conflict, particularly in the east, where armed groups compete for control of mineral-rich areas. The supplied information does not indicate that the crash was connected to that conflict.