17 die in South Kivu air crash

All 17 people aboard a Russian-built aircraft were killed on Thursday when it slammed into a mountain just north of the town of Bukavu, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, an aviation official said.

The Antonov 28 twin propeller passenger aircraft owned by Trasept Congo was carrying 14 passengers and three crew members, Kavumu Airport Commandant George Matutu said. Kavumu is 50 km north of Bukavu. Matutu was among the first at the crash site. There were no reported casualties on the ground.

Trasept Congo, a private domestic carrier, operates regular services between Lubushia, in Mwenga Territory, and Katana, another territory in South Kivu Province. This flight was due to land in Bukavu but encountered rain and heavy clouds and crashed in a fiery ball.

"The plane was completely burned," Matutu said.

There have been numerous crashes in Congo due to poorly maintained aircraft. Flying is one of the most convenient ways to travel over this densely forested country almost the size of Western Europe.

Following several fatal crashes, the central government in September 2005 grounded 33 of the country's 51 private airlines until they complied with safety standards.

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