A small plane crashed on Friday, September 25, in Kenge, the capital of the Kwango province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The aircraft, which was traveling from Kikwit to Kinshasa, had experienced technical difficulties and attempted to make an emergency landing. The plane ultimately crashed into a plot of land, killing several people on board. Among the victims was Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi, the Auditor General of the Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC).
According to Rémy Saki Mupinda, the vice governor of Kwango, the plane had taken off from Kinshasa and was headed to Kikwit before returning to Kinshasa when the incident occurred. Mupinda stated that the occupants of the plane had attempted to find a safe place to land after noticing technical problems. The plane was carrying a mix of military personnel and civilians, including high-ranking officials.
Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi was a prominent figure in the DRC's military justice system, serving as the Auditor General of the FARDC near the Haute Cour militaire since March 2021. As the public prosecutor in cases before this jurisdiction, he was involved in several high-profile cases involving senior FARDC officers. His death, along with that of other passengers, has raised concerns about aviation safety in the region.
The vice governor of Kwango reported that several people were killed in the crash, with some bodies badly burned. The pilot's body was found outside the wreckage. Mupinda confirmed that the plane's manifest was available, listing the passengers and crew on board. The exact number of fatalities and the circumstances of the crash are still being investigated.
The crash occurred in a residential area, but fortunately, no bystanders were injured. The plane was completely destroyed in the crash and subsequent fire. Authorities have not yet released the names of all the victims or provided further details on the cause of the crash.
Aviation safety has been a concern in the DRC, with several incidents reported in recent years. The country has a history of accidents involving small planes and helicopters, often due to mechanical failures or pilot error. An investigation into the cause of this crash is expected to be launched.
The death of Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi has been met with condolences from the military and government officials. The incident has also raised questions about the safety and security of air travel in the DRC, particularly for high-ranking officials and military personnel.
Key points
- The plane crash in Kenge, DRC, killed multiple people, including FARDC Auditor General Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi.
- The cause of the crash and the exact number of fatalities are still under investigation.
- The incident has raised concerns about aviation safety in the DRC, particularly for high-ranking officials and military personnel.
