Congo plane crash kills 14, including two senior military officials
A military plane crash in Congo has resulted in the deaths of 14 people, including two high-ranking military officials. Authorities have launched an investigation into the technical fault that caused the accident.
Why it matters
The loss of senior military leadership in a region already destabilized by rebel conflicts could have significant security implications for the country.
At least 14 people, including two senior military officials, have died in a plane crash in Congo, the military said Friday (September 25, 2026).
The two senior military officials are 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,” Major General Efomi Ekenge, spokesperson of the Congolese military, said in a statement.
The plane was returning to the capital city, Kinshasa, from southwestern Kikwit when it developed a technical fault and crashed in Kenge where everyone on board died, according to local officials.
An investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the accident, Major General Ekenge said.
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