DRC: 26 Die in Plane Crash

A passenger plane crashed into residential houses in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday morning, 24 November, leading to the deaths of at least 26 people.

Per reports, the 19-seater Dornier 228-200 – owned by local private carrier, Busy Bee – was carrying 17 passengers and two crew members at the time of the crash.

It was scheduled to fly from the city of Goma to Beni – both of which are located 350 km apart in the country’s North Kivu province.

However, according to the National Border Health Program, the pilot operating the plane heard a loud sound that seemed to emanate from the newly-installed engine just one minute into take-off.

The pilot apparently attempted to fly the aircraft back to Goma’s airport, before it spun “three times in the air” and crashed into nearby residential homes in the Mapendo district.

Of the 26 casualties, seven were identified as Goma residents who were on the ground.

An investigation into the crash is currently underway, with engine failure likely to be considered the cause.