Military plane crash in Democratic Republic of the Congo kills 17 people including two generals
A military aircraft operated by Tracep crashed in south-western Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing all 17 people aboard, including two senior army generals on an official mission. The plane was travelling from Kikwit to Kinshasa when it crashed near Kenge in Kwango province and caught fire. President Félix Tshisekedi has ordered authorities to investigate the circumstances and causes of the crash.
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A small military aircraft operated by the company Tracep crashed in south-western Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing all 17 people on board. The plane had departed from Kikwit airport bound for Kinshasa, the capital, when it crashed near Kenge, the capital of Kwango province, and subsequently caught fire.
Initial reports indicated 13 deaths, but Deputy Governor of Kwango Rémy Saki revised the death toll to 17 after rescue teams brought the wreckage fire under control. Recovery efforts identified 16 adult bodies and the body of an infant.
Among the victims were two senior army generals who were travelling on an official mission. Lieutenant General Joseph Mutombo, the first president of the country's Higher Military Court, and Lieutenant General Lucien-René Likulia, auditor general of the armed forces, both perished in the crash. According to a military statement, these two high-ranking officers were among those killed.
President Félix Tshisekedi has ordered relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to establish the exact circumstances and causes of the crash. The president also offered his condolences to the families of the victims and to the armed forces.
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