Seventeen people, including two army generals and a baby, have been killed in a plane crash in southwestern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The aircraft crashed on Friday in Kenge, the capital of Kwango province, vice-governor Remy Saki told reporters on Saturday, revising an initial death toll of 13.
“Contrary to the initial toll of 13 deaths, we discovered 16 bodies of adults and the body of a baby, bringing the total to 17,” Saki said.
The small aircraft, operated by Tracep, had left Kikwit airport at 1350 for Kinshasa before crashing around 15 minutes later and catching fire, he said.
Saki said the toll was revised after the blaze at the wreckage was brought under control.
The army identified two of the victims as Lieutenant General Joseph Mutombo, the first president of the High Military Court, and Lieutenant General Lucien-Rene Likulia, the military’s auditor general. Both were travelling on an official mission.
President Felix Tshisekedi ordered a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances and cause of the crash, his office said in a post on X.
He extended “his most heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, as well as to all the security forces.”
