Plane crash in DR Congo kills more than a dozen

A military plane crash in Congo claimed the lives of at least 14 individuals, including two high-ranking officials, on Friday. The plane, an L-410, was en route from Kikwit to the capital city of Kinshasa when it experienced a technical issue and crashed in Kenge. Among the casualties were Lieutenant General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende, head of the military court, and Lieutenant General Bakumi Likulia, the auditor general of the armed forces.

Twelve other members of the delegation and crew members also perished in the accident. Major General Efomi Ekenge, a spokesperson for the Congolese military, confirmed that all 13 people aboard the L-410 were killed. The plane had diverted to Kenge due to the technical difficulties. The exact cause of the crash remains unknown, as an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Congolese military has been engaged in battles with various rebel groups, including the M23 rebel group backed by Rwanda, in the eastern region since the previous year, following a series of attacks that resulted in the rebels seizing key cities.