Kisangani Plane Crash: Six Dead in Antonov An-2 Accident in DRC
An Antonov An-2 aircraft carrying seven people, including a Congolese army Colonel and his wife, crashed into a tree near Kisangani, killing six passengers.
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| Kisangani Plane Crash |
The plane had departed from Lubutu in Maniema Province and was heading to Tshopo, but it failed to reach its destination, going down just 34 kilometers away from Kisangani International Airport.
Videos shared on social media showed the Colonel, who commanded a battalion in Punia Territory, Maniema, dressed in his military uniform and boots, alongside his wife in a red dress. Before boarding, the couple had been seen cheerfully interacting with soldiers at the Lubutu airstrip before saying their farewells.
Minutes after takeoff, the aircraft struck a tree, crashed into the forest, and burst into flames.
According to a report from the police investigation unit, the victims included two foreigners: the Ukrainian pilot and his co-pilot. A passport found at the crash site identified the pilot as Stepankov Yuriy, born in April 1961.
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| Picture of plane after crushing |
The only survivor was one of the Colonel’s bodyguards who had been traveling with him on the flight.
Due to the intense fire, five of the victims were burned beyond recognition. The only body recovered was that of the flight engineer, who had been assisting the pilot with technical operations.
Reports indicate that Antonov planes still in use in the DRC date back to the Soviet Union era. Military sources revealed that this particular aircraft had been grounded for several months at Lubutu before being flown again.
Source: igihe.com
Rest in peace to them
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