A tragic plane crash occurred in Kenge, a city in the southwestern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Friday, resulting in the deaths of 17 people. The victims include 13 military personnel, comprising two generals, and four civilians, one of whom is a child. The plane, which was carrying a delegation of high-ranking officials, crashed and caught fire, making it difficult to recover the bodies immediately. The police were able to retrieve the bodies after the fire was extinguished.

The military has confirmed the death of two officer generals, as well as members of their delegation and the crew. The deceased were returning from a service mission in Kikwit, a city in the neighboring province of Kwilu. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash, with the government provincial assigning the task to security and technical services. These agencies are also responsible for securing the site, preserving evidence, and facilitating the identification of the victims.

A team of investigators is expected to arrive in Kenge, with an helicopter already dispatched from Kinshasa to assist in the efforts. Authorities have confirmed that the black box has not yet been recovered. The crash occurred in the late hours of Friday, and the cause remains unknown. The incident has sparked widespread concern, with many questions being raised about the safety of air travel in the region.

The victims of the crash include high-ranking officials, such as the Auditor General of the FARDC, Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi, and the First President of the High Court, Joseph Mutombo Katalayi. The loss of these prominent figures has sent shockwaves through the military and judicial institutions. The incident has also raised concerns about the security and safety of air travel in the region.

The provincial government has assured the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the crash. The authorities have also promised to provide support to the families of the victims. The incident has highlighted the need for improved safety measures and regulations in the aviation industry in the DR Congo.

The plane crash in Kenge has sparked a renewed focus on air safety in the region. The incident has also raised questions about the maintenance and regulation of aircraft in the DR Congo. An investigation by the government and relevant agencies aims to establish the cause of the crash and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The DR Congo has experienced several aviation incidents in recent years, raising concerns about the country's aviation safety record. The government has pledged to take steps to improve safety and prevent future accidents. The international community has also expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and offered support to the DR Congo in its efforts to improve aviation safety.

Key points

  • The plane crash in Kenge resulted in the deaths of 17 people, including two generals and four civilians.
  • An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash, with the government assigning the task to security and technical services.
  • The incident has raised concerns about air safety in the region and highlighted the need for improved safety measures and regulations in the aviation industry.

Share this story

Written by

SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.