18 dead in Congo air plane crash
An aircraft carrying at least 16 passengers crashed and 2 crew members after takeoff on Sunday in the eastern city of Goma in Congo, killing all of them and possibly more. The plane crashed into residential homes near Goma’s airport in North Kivu Province. Black smoke was lifted from the aircraft, whose houses were seen destroyed by the debris. Dozens of people helped with the rescue efforts.
The Governor of North Kivu announced a plane crash at Goma International Airport this morning. North Kivu Governor Nazanu Kasavita Carly’s office said in a statement that our first information suggests that the aircraft had 17 passengers on board. Private company Busy Bee’s Dornier — 228 aircraft were to be flown to Beni, 350 km from Goma. But one minute after the flight, the accident happened. The cause of the accident is not yet known, but it is believed that the accident occurred due to engine failure.
The U.N. Mission in Congo said it sent an emergency crash and rescue team with two fire brigades to help Congo officials. Air accidents occur frequently in the Central African nation of Congo due to poor maintenance and air safety standards.
