ISLAMABAD: A chartered plane carrying Congo’s Minister of Mines, Louis Watum Kabamba, and 20 high-ranking government officials met with a tragic accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The aircraft, en route from the capital Kinshasa to the mineral-rich Lualaba province, skidded off the runway while attempting to land at Kolwezi airport. Initial reports indicate that adverse weather conditions or a possible mechanical failure may have contributed to the mishap, though investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause.
The plane, a mid-sized charter jet, was transporting key personnel involved in mining operations and policy discussions critical to Congo’s economy. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with the aircraft veering sharply upon touchdown before coming to a halt in a grassy area adjacent to the runway. Emergency services were immediately alerted, and rescue teams comprising firefighters, medical personnel, and airport security rushed to the site to extricate passengers and crew.
The minister and his delegation were scheduled to attend meetings in Lualaba, a province known for its vast copper and cobalt reserves.
In the aftermath, Kolwezi airport authorities suspended all incoming and outgoing flights to facilitate rescue and recovery efforts. Ambulances and helicopters were deployed to transport any survivors to nearby hospitals. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi expressed profound sorrow over the incident and ordered a national inquiry, pledging full cooperation with aviation experts.
Read Top Stories
The international community has extended condolences, with the United Nations and African Union calling for enhanced safety protocols in air travel across the continent. This crash underscores persistent challenges in Congo’s aviation sector, including aging infrastructure and regulatory oversights. Families of the victims gathered at Kinshasa’s airport, awaiting official confirmations amid growing grief. Source: www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-plane-crash-2025″>https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-plane-crash-2025 www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-congo-aviation-accident”>https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-congo-aviation-accident