DR Congo Military Plane Crash Kills 13

A Let L-410 UVP Turbolet aircraft on a flight from Kikwit to Kinshasa crashed on September 25, 2026, in Kenge, Kwango Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after experiencing technical difficulties on approach. The aircraft circled Kenge several times as the crew searched for a landing site, then crashed into a residential compound and caught fire. Kwango Vice Governor Remy Saki said the pilot's body was recovered outside the wreckage. Emergency personnel responded to the crash site. Saki said none of the compound residents were injured, stating, "Fortunately, none of the occupants of the compound were harmed." Congo aviation accident investigators opened a probe into the crash. Early local accounts reported at least 10 people killed. Later reports state that all 13 people aboard died, including army auditor general General Likulia Bakumi and other military personnel and civilians. Authorities had not immediately released a full passenger manifest. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.