Congo Plane Crash Video: 2 Senior Military Generals Among 14 Killed in Kwango Province

At least 14 people, including senior military officials, were killed on Friday, September 25, when a military aircraft crashed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials confirmed. The plane was returning to the capital city, Kinshasa, from the southwestern city of Kikwit when it developed a technical fault and attempted an emergency landing in Kenge, Kwango province, crashing into an unoccupied residential plot after finding no landing strip available.

The crash marks a severe blow to the Congolese armed forces and its military justice apparatus. The aircraft was carrying a delegation of high-ranking military justice authorities and support personnel, all of whom died on impact when the plane burst into flames upon hitting the ground. Plane Loses Rear Tyre During Landing at Nepal’s Juphal Airport, 16 Passengers and Crew Escape Unhurt (Video).

Congo Plane Crash Kills 14

Top Military Justice Figures Among the Casualties in Congo Plane Crash

The casualties include top-tier leadership from Congo's armed forces. The two senior military officials confirmed dead are Lieutenant General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende, head of the military court, and Lieutenant General Bakumi Likulia (Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi), auditor general of the armed forces.

“In addition to the two general officers, twelve members of the delegation and the crew members also lost their lives in this accident,” Major General Efomi Ekenge, spokesperson of the Congolese military, said in a statement. Amazon Cargo Plane Crash Videos: 5 Killed After Plane Crashes While Landing at Miami Airport.

Remy Saki Bokinda, the Kwango vice governor, reported that the passengers included General Likulia Bakumi, the army’s auditor general, as well as a major, a captain and other military personnel and civilians. “All those on board died; 12 were burned beyond recognition, while the pilot’s lifeless body was found outside the aircraft,” Bokinda said.

Failed Emergency Landing in Kenge

According to provincial authorities, the aircraft experienced severe technical difficulties mid-air while en route to Kinshasa. The crew attempted an emergency landing near Kenge, the capital of Kwango province.

“With no landing strip available in Kenge, the plane crashed into a residential plot,” Bokinda stated, noting that the impact completely destroyed the aircraft.

Congo’s aviation accident investigation authority has launched a probe into the crash, according to an official government statement. Tryphon Kin-Kiey Mulumba, Chairman of the Board of the Civil Aviation Authority, noted that the definitive cause of the crash is currently unknown, with investigators working to determine whether mechanical failure or weather conditions contributed to the incident.

The fatal crash occurs during a period of intense pressure for the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC). The Congolese military has been battling scores of rebel groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group in the eastern region since last year, following a blitz of attacks that led to rebel factions capturing several strategic towns and territory.

Congo’s army suffered significant setbacks last year at the hands of the Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 coalition in the east. The loss of the heads of both the supreme military court and the military prosecution service deprives the state's military justice framework of key leadership during an active wartime period.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 26, 2026 07:23 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).