Dozens feared dead in plane crash

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Several houses near a market in Kinshasa's Kingasani neighbourhood were in flames after the crash, and smoke filled the sky, according to an Associated Press reporter on the scene. Civil aviation chief Alphonse Ilunga said 19 bodies had been dragged out of the rubble so far.

Ilunga said the plane's flight manifest indicated 16 people aboard, but more had boarded the plane before take-off. It was not immediately known what caused the crash.

A plane window and pieces of charred metal were visible as firefighters struggled to put out the fire and a crowd of onlookers gathered around the site. Speaking earlier, local police commander Alexis Dekikobo said he had seen five bodies - four adults and one baby.

Airport officer Appo Ilunga said the Antonov 26 went down shortly after take-off around 10:30am (0930 GMT).

Russia's ITAR-Tass news agency reported the plane had a Russian crew. "According to early reports, all people on board were killed. There are also casualties among people at the market," ITAR-Tass said, adding that the plane belonged to Congolese carrier Africa 1.

UN-funded Radio Okapi cited witnesses in the area as saying the plane damaged 10 houses on three streets in Kingasani, about three miles from Kinshasa airport.

Ilunga, the airport official, said the plane had just taken off and was en route to central Congo. Radio Okapi said the aircraft was headed to Chicapa in the province of Kasai Occidental.

Cargo planes in Congo are often flown by experienced pilots from former Soviet states, but the aircraft are often old, ill-maintained and overloaded.

In 1996, an Antonov 32 turboprop crashed seconds after take-off from Kinshasa's main airport, skidding across a busy street and ploughing into a crowded open-air market. The crash killed at least 300 people, one of the worst air accidents in Congo's history.