At least 14 people, including senior military officials and civilians, were killed Friday when a Congolese army plane crashed into a residential area in southwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to military officials.

The aircraft was travelling from the southwestern city of Kikwit to the capital, Kinshasa, when it developed a technical problem and attempted to land in Kenge, in Kwango province.

Remy Saki Bokinda, deputy governor of Kwango, said there was no landing strip available in Kenge when the aircraft attempted to come down. The plane subsequently crashed into a residential plot.

Congolese military spokesperson Major-General Efomi Ekenge confirmed that 14 people were killed in the crash. He said everyone on board died and that 12 bodies were burned beyond recognition.

The pilot’s body was found outside the aircraft, while the remaining victims included civilians, members of an official delegation travelling with two generals and other military personnel, according to the military.

Most of the victims were severely burned, making identification difficult, officials said.

Authorities have opened an investigation into the crash to determine what caused the aircraft to develop the technical problem and why the attempted landing ended in the residential area.

The crash occurred as the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to face significant security challenges. The mineral-rich central African country has endured decades of conflict, particularly in its eastern regions near the border with Rwanda.

The Congolese military has been fighting several armed groups that have captured key cities in the country since last year. The ongoing conflict has added to the humanitarian and security pressures facing the country.

SOURCE: Al Jazeera Staff, AP and Reuters, September 26, 2026.