Get you up to speed: At least 13 killed after plane crashes in emergency landing near homes | News World
A military aircraft crashed into a hillside in Kenge, Kwango province, Democratic Republic of Congo, killing all 13 people on board. Among the victims were high-ranking military officials, including General Likulia Bakumi, and the plane was attempting an emergency landing after suffering a technical malfunction.
An investigation into the crash has been launched by the government aviation accident body, with details pending on the specific technical malfunction that led to the accident. The Democratic Republic of Congo has a notable history of aviation accidents, despite accounting for a mere 0.1% of global air traffic.
The government aviation accident body has initiated an investigation into the crash, which resulted in the deaths of all 13 individuals on board, including high-ranking military officials. Remy Saki Bokinda, the province vice governor, stated, “With no landing strip available in Kenge, the plane crashed into a residential plot,” highlighting the challenges faced in aviation safety in the region.
What remains unclear — The specific technical malfunction that caused the aircraft to crash has not been disclosed.
At least 13 dead after military aircraft crashes during emergency landing in DRC
The military aircraft crashed into a hillside in DRC, killing all people on board (Picture: X)
Several people have died after a plane crashed in a fireball in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
At least 13 people were killed in the collision involving a military aircraft.
High-ranking officers were among the victims, according to officials.
The plane was travelling to the capital, Kinshasa, from Kikwit city when it suffered a technical malfunction.
The pilot tried to perform an emergency landing, but the aircraft plunged towards homes in Kenge, Kwango province, in southwestern DRC.
The plane had attempted an emergency landing, but it crashed in a fireball in Kenge, DRC (Picture: X)
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Remy Saki Bokinda, the province vice governor, told Reuters: ‘With no landing strip available in Kenge, the plane crashed into a residential plot.’
The plane was carrying General Likulia Bakumi, the army’s auditor general, a major, a captain, other military personnel and civilians, he confirmed.
Breaking – L-410 crash on DR Congo. All 13 aboard died.
Flight had diverted to Kenge due to technical difficulties enroute but crashed at Kenge and burst into fire.
Amongst the victims were the president of the military high court and other military and civilian personnel.…
— Francisco Cunha – ✈️ Aviation et al (@OnDisasters) September 25, 2026
All people on board are said to have died after the wreckage was engulfed by flames.
Footage shows people rushing to the burning plane, with thick smoke billowing into the air from the hillside.
In another clip, the lifeless body of the pilot was carried away on a stretcher.
Twelve people were ‘burned beyond recognition,’ while the pilot was discovered outside the aircraft, Mr Bokinda said.
An investigation into the crash has been launched by the government aviation accident body.
Deadly aviation accidents are not uncommon in DR Congo, the second-largest African country, where distances are long and roads are in poor condition.
The country has featured high on the list of countries for most aviation accidents in the past, despite accounting for only 0.1% of global air traffic.
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