At least 17 killed in DR Congo plane crash, including senior military officials

Kinshasa, Congo (AP) — A plane crash in the African nation of Congo has resulted in at least 14 fatalities, including two high-ranking military officials, according to the country's military. The crash occurred on Friday when the aircraft, en route to the capital city of Kinshasa, experienced a technical malfunction and plummeted to the ground in the community of Kenge.

The two senior military officials who perished were Lieutenant General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende, who heads the military court, and Lieutenant General Bakumi Likulia, who serves as the auditor general of the armed forces.

Major General Efomi Ekenge, the spokesperson for the Congolese military, confirmed that twelve other individuals, comprising a delegation and crew members, were also killed in the accident. The plane had been returning from the southwestern region of Kikwit when the incident unfolded. Major General Ekenge stated that an investigation into the cause of the crash has been launched.

The Congolese military has been engaged in a prolonged conflict against various rebel groups, notably the M23 rebels backed by Rwanda, in the eastern part of the country since the previous year, following a series of attacks that saw the rebels take control of numerous significant cities.