KINSHASA, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from Friday's plane crash near Kenge, capital of Kwango Province in western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has risen to 17, the country's transport ministry said Saturday.
The Let L-410 UVP Turbolet aircraft, operated by TRACEP Congo Aviation, crashed Friday afternoon near Kenge, according to local authorities. Kwango Vice Governor Remy Saki said the plane had circled over Kenge several times while looking for a place to land before crashing into a residential compound and catching fire. No casualties were reported on the ground.
The transport ministry said in a statement that all 17 people aboard, 13 passengers and four crew members, were killed in the crash. Several military personnel, including senior military justice officials, were among the victims.
Following the accident, the ministry ordered the immediate suspension of TRACEP Congo Aviation's air operator certificate, grounding the company's aircraft nationwide pending the outcome of an investigation. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. ■
