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World

DR Congo declares three days of national mourning after Kenge plane crash kills 17

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has declared three days of national mourning from Monday after a plane carrying a military delegation crashed in Kenge, killing at least 17 people including the country's two most senior military justice officials.

By Sarah Whitfield · · 1 min read

The Democratic Republic of the Congo will observe three days of national mourning from Monday after an aircraft carrying a military delegation crashed in Kenge, Kwango province, killing at least 17 people, including the country’s two most senior military justice officials.

The government announced that flags will fly at half-mast nationwide until the victims are buried. The crash occurred on Friday, September 25, as the delegation returned from Kikwit in Kwilu province.

Among the dead were Lieutenant-General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende Joseph, first president of the High Military Court, and Lieutenant-General Likulia Bakumi Lucien René, auditor general of the FARDC, according to information from the General Staff of the FARDC cited by the DRC presidency.

President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances and causes of the accident, and the Justice Ministry ordered a judicial investigation. Local officials said the aircraft developed a technical problem en route to Kinshasa and attempted an emergency landing in Kenge, where it crashed and caught fire.

Kwango’s deputy governor said the initial toll of 13 was revised to 17 after wreckage was brought under control — 16 adult bodies and the body of a baby. The cause of the crash has not been established.

Sources

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