14 people killed in Congo plane crash

Fourteen people, including two senior military officials, were killed after a plane crashed in Congo while returning to the capital Kinshasa from the southwestern city of Kikwit, authorities said. Among those killed were Lieutenant General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende, who headed the country’s military court, and Lieutenant General Bakumi Likulia, auditor general of the armed forces. The Congolese military confirmed the deaths, with spokesperson Major General Efomi Ekenge saying the aircraft was carrying a delegation that included the two senior officers. “In addition to the two general officers, twelve members of the delegation and the crew members also lost their lives in this accident,” Ekenge said in a statement, according to news agency AP. The aircraft was on its way back to Kinshasa when it reportedly developed a technical problem. It subsequently crashed in Kenge, where all those on board were killed, according to local officials. Authorities have not yet established what caused the aircraft to develop the reported fault or led to the crash. “An investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the accident,” Ekenge said. Tryphon Kin-Kiey Mulumba, chairman of the board of the Civil Aviation Authority, separately said the cause of the crash remained unknown. The accident occurred against the backdrop of a continuing security crisis in Congo, where the military is fighting several armed groups, particularly in the eastern part of the country. One of the most prominent groups involved is the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. The group has captured key cities in the east following a series of attacks since last year, further complicating the security situation.