A military aircraft crashed in Kenge, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on a flight returning to the capital Kinshasa from Kikwit. The plane suffered a technical failure, resulting in the deaths of all 14 people on board. The incident has been confirmed by the Congolese armed forces, who have also announced the launch of an investigation into the cause of the crash.
The two most senior officers killed in the crash were Lieutenant General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende, who headed the military court, and Lieutenant General Bakumi Likulia, the auditor general of the armed forces. In addition to the two general officers, twelve members of the delegation and crew members also lost their lives in the accident. The Congolese military spokesperson, Major General Efomi Ekenge, confirmed the deaths and provided details about the incident.
According to Major General Efomi Ekenge, the precise cause of the crash remains unknown at this stage, but an investigation has been opened to establish what led to the plane coming down. The authorities have not released further technical details about the aircraft involved in the crash. The incident has occurred amid a protracted conflict in the country's eastern region, where the Congolese military is fighting numerous armed groups.
The conflict in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been ongoing, with the Congolese military facing numerous armed groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel movement. The rebel group launched a series of offensives last year, resulting in the capture of several key towns in the east. The military has been working to regain control of the region.
The Chairman of the Board of the Civil Aviation Authority, Tryphon Kin-Kiey Mulumba, has also commented on the incident, stating that the cause of the crash is still unknown. The investigation into the incident is expected to provide more information about the circumstances surrounding the crash. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of military aviation in the region.
The crash of the military plane in Kenge has resulted in a significant loss of life, including two senior military officers. The incident has highlighted the risks faced by military personnel in the region, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict. The Congolese military has confirmed that the incident is under investigation.
The incident has occurred at a challenging time for the Congolese military, which is working to address the security situation in the eastern region of the country. The loss of senior officers and crew members will likely be felt within the military, and the investigation into the incident is expected to provide more information about the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Key points
- Two senior military officers, Lieutenant General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende and Lieutenant General Bakumi Likulia, were among those killed in the plane crash.
- The plane crash occurred in Kenge, Democratic Republic of the Congo, while the aircraft was returning to Kinshasa from Kikwit.
- An investigation has been launched into the cause of the crash, which resulted in the deaths of all 14 people on board.
