Top officials among 17 killed in DR Congo air crash: ministry

An air crash in southwest Democratic Republic of Congo claimed the lives of 17 individuals, including two of the nation's highest-ranking military justice officials, according to the transport ministry's statement released on Saturday. The unfortunate incident occurred around 1:30 PM GMT on Friday near Kenge, situated in Kwango province, approximately 200 kilometers east of the capital city, Kinshasa.

The small aircraft, a Let 410 UVP light plane operated by Tracep Congo Aviation, was carrying a delegation of military justice officials at the time of the crash. The transport ministry reported that the plane involved carried a total of 13 passengers and four crew members, resulting in 17 fatalities.

Among the victims were Joseph Mutombo, who served as head of the military high court and held the rank of lieutenant general, and Lucien-Rene Likulia, the armed forces' auditor general, also a lieutenant general. Likulia, who was appointed by President Felix Tshisekedi, presided over the trial of former President Joseph Kabila in September 2025, during which Kabila was found guilty and sentenced to death for treason and war crimes. Tshisekedi has since ordered a thorough investigation into the tragic air crash.