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A military aircraft crashed in Kenge, Congo, killing 14 people including two senior generals. The plane was returning to Kinshasa from Kikwit when it suffered a technical fault.
At least 14 people, including two senior military officials, died in a plane crash in Congo on Friday, the military said. The two senior military officials are Lieutenant General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende, head of the military court, and Lieutenant General Bakumi Likulia, auditor general of the armed forces.
Congolese Plane Crash Kills 14 Officials
The aircraft involved was a Let L-410 with registration 9S-GUC. It crashed on Friday, September 25, 2026. The plane was returning to the capital city, Kinshasa, from southwestern Kikwit when it developed a technical fault and crashed in Kenge. Everyone on board died in the accident, according to local officials.
The crash killed the two general officers, twelve members of the delegation, and crew members. Major General Efomi Ekenge, spokesperson of the Congolese military, said in a statement that in addition to the two general officers, twelve members of the delegation and the crew members also lost their lives. The delegation was traveling back to Kinshasa after a mission in Kikwit. An investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the accident, Ekenge said.
Tryphon Kin-Kiey Mulumba, Chairman of the Board of the Civil Aviation Authority, said the cause of the crash is unknown. The Congolese military has been battling scores of rebel groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group in the eastern region since last year. The rebels launched a blitz of attacks that led to the groups seizing key cities. The crash adds to the challenges facing the Congolese armed forces, which have been stretched by the conflict in the east.
The deaths of the two senior generals represent a significant loss for the military justice and audit systems. Lieutenant General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende led the military court, while Lieutenant General Bakumi Likulia served as auditor general of the armed forces. Their deaths were confirmed by the military spokesperson. The Let L-410 aircraft is a twin-engine short-range transport plane widely used in the region.
The registration 9S-GUC indicates it was a Congolese civil aircraft, though it was carrying a military delegation. The crash site in Kenge is located between Kikwit and Kinshasa. Local officials confirmed that no one survived the impact. The military has not released further details about the delegation members or the crew.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out any cause. The Civil Aviation Authority chairman said the cause remains unknown, emphasizing that the inquiry will determine what happened. The military spokesperson said the investigation has been opened. The accident is one of the deadliest involving military officials in Congo in recent years.
Military Justice Leaders Die in Kenge Crash
It comes as the country continues to fight multiple armed groups in the east. The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, has captured several key cities since last year. The Congolese military has been fighting back with support from allies. The loss of the two generals could affect the military's judicial and auditing operations.
Lieutenant General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende was the head of the military court, a key position in prosecuting military cases. Lieutenant General Bakumi Likulia was the auditor general of the armed forces, responsible for overseeing military finances. Both were traveling on the same aircraft when it crashed. The delegation was returning from Kikwit, a city in the southwestern part of the country.
The plane developed a technical fault before crashing in Kenge. The crash occurred on Friday, and the military announced the deaths the same day. The investigation into the cause is expected to take time. Officials have not said whether the aircraft had any prior technical issues.
The Let L-410 has been involved in several crashes in Africa in recent years. The Congolese military spokesperson expressed condolences to the families of the victims. The statement did not provide further details about the delegation's mission in Kikwit. The crash is a blow to the Congolese military as it battles rebel groups in the east.
The M23 conflict has displaced thousands and led to the seizure of key cities. The military court and audit office are important institutions for accountability within the armed forces. The deaths of their leaders will require replacements. Authorities have not released the names of the twelve delegation members or the crew.
The investigation will seek to determine the exact cause of the technical fault. The Civil Aviation Authority is cooperating with the military investigation. The chairman said the cause is unknown, but the inquiry is underway. The crash site in Kenge has been secured by local officials.
The bodies of the victims have been recovered. The Congolese government has not issued a separate statement. The military spokesperson provided the official confirmation of the deaths. The Let L-410 aircraft is registered in Congo as 9S-GUC.
Investigation Opens Into Technical Fault Cause
The plane was operating a domestic flight when it crashed. The accident highlights the risks of air travel in Congo, where infrastructure and safety standards are often challenged. The military delegation was on an official mission. The deaths of the two generals come at a time when the military is under pressure from the M23 rebel group.
The group has been advancing in the eastern region. The military has not said whether the crash was caused by mechanical failure or other factors. The investigation will determine the cause. The delegation was returning to Kinshasa, the capital, from Kikwit.
The crash occurred in Kenge, a town in between. Local officials confirmed that everyone on board died. The military spokesperson said the same in a statement. The crash is one of the worst in Congo in recent memory.
It killed senior military officials and delegation members. The investigation is being conducted by Congolese authorities. The Civil Aviation Authority chairman said the cause is unknown. The military has been battling rebel groups since last year.
The M23 group is backed by Rwanda, according to the military. The crash occurred on Friday, September 25, 2026. The Let L-410 aircraft was destroyed. The military court and audit office will need new leadership.
The two generals were key figures in the military justice system. The delegation members were not identified. The crew members also died. The crash site is in Kenge, where local officials responded.
The investigation is open. Authorities have not said if there were any survivors. Everyone on board died. The military spokesperson said the delegation and crew lost their lives.
The statement was released on Friday. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The Civil Aviation Authority chairman said it is unknown. The Congolese military continues to fight in the east.
The M23 rebel group has seized key cities. The crash is a setback for the military. The two generals were senior officials. The Let L-410 aircraft is a common short-range plane.
The registration 9S-GUC is Congolese. The delegation was returning from Kikwit. The plane crashed in Kenge. The investigation will determine the cause.
M23 Conflict Stretches Congolese Armed Forces
The military has opened the inquiry. The deaths include two lieutenant generals. Twelve delegation members and crew also died. The military spokesperson confirmed the deaths.
The Civil Aviation Authority chairman said the cause is unknown. The crash happened on Friday. The plane was returning to Kinshasa. The M23 rebel group is backed by Rwanda.
The Congolese military has been fighting since last year. The crash killed 14 people. The two generals were among them. The delegation was on an official mission.
The plane developed a technical fault. Local officials said everyone on board died. The investigation is ongoing. The military court head and auditor general died.
Their names were released. The crash site is in Kenge. The plane was a Let L-410. The investigation has been opened.
The cause is unknown. The Congolese military is battling rebels. The M23 group has seized cities. The crash is a major loss.
The two generals were senior officials. The delegation was returning to Kinshasa. The plane crashed in Kenge. The military spokesperson said 14 died.
The Civil Aviation Authority chairman said cause unknown. The Let L-410 registration is 9S-GUC. The crash occurred on September 25, 2026. The military court and audit office lost their leaders.
The delegation members and crew also died. The investigation is ongoing. The military has not said what caused the technical fault. The Congolese military continues to fight.
The M23 rebel group is backed by Rwanda. The crash killed everyone on board. The plane was returning from Kikwit. The two generals were Lieutenant General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende and Lieutenant General Bakumi Likulia.
The military spokesperson confirmed their deaths. The delegation had twelve members. The crew also died. The crash site is in Kenge.
Local officials responded. The investigation will determine the cause. The Civil Aviation Authority chairman said it is unknown. The military has been battling rebels since last year.
The M23 group has seized key cities. The crash is a blow to the military. The two generals were senior officials. The plane was a Let L-410.
The registration is 9S-GUC. The delegation was returning to Kinshasa. The plane crashed in Kenge. Everyone on board died.
The military said 14 people died. The investigation is open. The cause is unknown. The Congolese military is fighting the M23.
The group is backed by Rwanda. The crash occurred on Friday. The military announced the deaths the same day. The two generals were the head of the military court and the auditor general.
Their deaths were confirmed. The delegation members and crew also died. The plane developed a technical fault. The crash site is in Kenge.
Local officials said everyone died. The investigation will determine the cause. The Civil Aviation Authority chairman said it is unknown. The military has been battling rebels since last year.
The M23 group has seized key cities. The crash is a major loss. The two generals were senior officials. The plane was a Let L-410.
The registration is 9S-GUC. The delegation was returning to Kinshasa. The plane crashed in Kenge. Everyone on board died.
The military said 14 people died. The investigation is open. The cause is unknown. The Congolese military is fighting the M23.
The group is backed by Rwanda. The crash occurred on Friday. The military announced the deaths the same day.
CP24
CTVNews:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Congo Plane Crash Military Officials Kinshasa Aviation Accident Congo Plane Crash Let L-410 Congolese Military M23 Rebels Kenge Crash
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