At least 14 people, including two senior military officials, were killed on Friday when a Congolese military plane crashed in Kenge in southwestern Democratic Republic of Congo, the military said.
Local officials said the plane was returning to the capital, Kinshasa, from Kikwit when it suffered a technical fault and tried to land in Kenge. The aircraft went down in a residential area, killing all on board.
The two senior officers who died were Lt. Gen Mutombo Katalayi Tiende, president of the military court, and Lt. Gen. Bakumi Likulia, auditor general of the armed forces, according to the military.
“In addition to the two general officers, twelve members of the delegation and the crew members also lost their lives in this accident,” military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Efomi Ekenge said in a statement.
According to local officials, other military personnel and civilians were also killed. Twelve bodies were burned beyond recognition, and the pilot’s body was found outside the wreckage.
An investigation has been launched to establish the cause of the crash, Ekenge said.
