At least 14 people have been killed after a Let L-410 aircraft crashed near Kenge in Kwango Province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on Friday, September 25, 2026.
The victims included two senior military officials, Lieutenant General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende Joseph, the First President of the High Military Court, and Lieutenant General Likulia Bakumi Lucien René, Auditor General of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC).
According to reports, the aircraft was travelling from Kikwit to Kinshasa when it developed technical problems. The crew reportedly attempted to land at Kenge’s old airstrip, but the aircraft crashed in the Manzawu residential area.
All those aboard were killed, with initial reports putting the death toll at 13 before later reports indicated that 14 people had died.
Several members of the military delegation and crew were among the victims. The FARDC confirmed the deaths of the two senior officials and other members of the delegation.
“Twelve members of the delegation and the crew members also lost their lives in this accident,” the military said in a statement.
The crash occurred near homes, but reports indicated that no person on the ground was killed or injured.
President Félix Tshisekedi expressed his “deep sorrow” following the accident and sent his condolences to the families of those who died, as well as to the FARDC.
The President also ordered a thorough investigation to establish the exact cause and circumstances surrounding the crash.
The accident has left the Congolese military mourning the loss of two senior figures in its military justice system, while aviation authorities and investigators work to establish what caused the aircraft to go down.
Authorities are expected to examine the aircraft’s reported technical problems, the attempted landing and other circumstances surrounding the fatal flight as part of the investigation.