Atleast thirteen people including three army officers, were killed after a military aircraft crashed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to Kwango Vice Governor Remy Saki Bokinda.
The aircraft, identified as a Let L-410 Turbolet operated by Tracep Congo Aviation on a military mission, was traveling from the southwestern city of Kikwit to the capital, Kinshasa.
The aircraft was travelling from the southwestern city of Kikwit to the capital, Kinshasa, when it developed a technical problem and attempted to make an emergency landing in Kenge, Kwango Province.
The pilot reported severe technical difficulties and circled multiple times over Kenge, the capital of Kwango Province, trying to find a safe location to land. Because Kenge lacks an active landing strip, the plane ultimately crash-landed and erupted into flames inside a residential plot in the Manzawu neighborhood. Fortunately, no casualties were reported among residents on the ground.
Among the dead was Lieutenant General Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi, the Armed Forces’ Auditor General (top military prosecutor). Unconfirmed reports also indicate that Lieutenant General Joseph Mutombo Katalay Tiende, the president of the High Military Court, may have been on board as well. Other victims included a major, a captain, and additional military personnel and civilian.
Kwango Vice Governor Remy Saki Bokinda said the aircraft crashed into a residential plot after the crew was unable to find a suitable landing strip in Kenge.
“Since there was no landing strip available in Kenge, the plane crashed into a residential plot,” Bokinda said.
Among those aboard was General Likulia Bakumi, the Congolese army’s auditor general. A major, a captain and other military personnel, as well as civilians, were also on the aircraft.
Bokinda said all 13 people on board died in the crash. Twelve bodies were reportedly burned beyond recognition, while the pilot’s body was found outside the aircraft.
The country’s aviation accident investigation authority has launched an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash, according to a government statement.
The accident comes as the Congolese military continues to operate under significant security pressures following major setbacks in eastern DRC, where the Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 rebels captured large areas during fighting last year.
The DRC government confirmed that the national aviation accident investigation authority has launched an official probe to determine the precise technical failure that caused the tragedy
Authorities are expected to examine the aircraft’s technical condition, the circumstances of the attempted emergency landing and other factors that may have contributed to the crash.
