14 dead in Congo military plane crash near capital

At least 14 people perished in the crash, which occurred in Kenge as the aircraft was returning to the capital from the southwestern city of Kikwit, according to military authorities. Among the fatalities were Lieutenant General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende, head of the military court, and Lieutenant General Bakumi Likulia, the armed forces' auditor general. "In addition to the two general officers, twelve members of the delegation and crew members also lost their lives," Major General Efomi Ekenge, spokesperson for the Congolese military, said in a statement Friday. The aircraft developed a technical fault during the flight, resulting in the crash that claimed all aboard, local officials confirmed. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the precise cause of the accident. Tryphon Kin-Kiey Mulumba, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority's Board, stated that the cause of the crash remains unknown at this stage.