A plane crashed on Friday, September 25, 2026, in the Manzau neighborhood of Kenge, the capital of the Kwango province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident occurred at around an unspecified time, with eyewitnesses reporting a large plume of smoke visible from a distance. According to initial reports, the plane experienced difficulties during flight and performed several maneuvers above the city, apparently searching for a landing strip.
The plane, which had departed from Kikwit in the Kwilu province, was carrying 13 people on board. Witnesses reported seeing the plane extend its landing gear near the old Kenge airfield, which is no longer operational and has been largely occupied. The aircraft continued its trajectory before crashing into an unbuilt area in the Manzau neighborhood. Local authorities, including the provincial and urban authorities, as well as security services, responded quickly to the scene.
The vice-governor of Kwango, Rémy Saki, the mayor of Kenge, Noël Kuketuka, and the provincial commissioner of the Congolese National Police, General Narcisse Muteba Kashale, were among the officials who attended the scene. According to the mayor of Kenge, the initial report indicated that there were no survivors. However, the mayor noted that the report was preliminary and that operations were ongoing.
The identities of the passengers, the operating company, and the exact causes of the accident are still unknown. The incident has raised concerns about the state of airport infrastructure in Kenge. The city, located approximately 275 kilometers from Kinshasa, no longer has a functional airfield, with the old site now largely occupied.
The crash has sparked renewed debate about the need for improved airport facilities in Kenge. The city's lack of a functional airfield has significant implications for transportation and economic development in the region. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the causes of the accident.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, with residents expressing concern about the safety of air travel in the region. The authorities have promised a thorough investigation into the incident and have urged calm.
The plane crash in Kenge is the latest in a series of aviation incidents in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country has faced challenges in maintaining safe and efficient air transport infrastructure, with many airports lacking basic safety features.
Key points
- 13 people were killed in the plane crash in Kenge, Democratic Republic of Congo.
- The plane crash has raised concerns about the state of airport infrastructure in Kenge.
- The incident has sparked renewed debate about the need for improved airport facilities in Kenge.
