Daijiworld Media Network - Kinshasa

Kinshasa, Sep 26: At least 14 people, including two senior military officials, were killed after a military plane crashed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Congolese military said on Friday.

The two senior officers killed in the crash were Lieutenant General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende, head of the military court, and Lieutenant General Bakumi Likulia, 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,” Congolese military spokesperson Major General Efomi Ekenge said in a statement.

The aircraft was returning to the capital Kinshasa from Kikwit in southwestern Congo when it reportedly developed a technical fault and crashed in Kenge. All those on board were killed, according to local officials.

An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances and cause of the crash. Tryphon Kin-Kiey Mulumba, chairman of the board of the Civil Aviation Authority, said the cause of the accident was not immediately known.

The crash comes as the Congolese military continues to battle several armed groups in the eastern part of the country, including the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who have captured key cities following a series of attacks.