Congo military plane crash kills 13

Thirteen people, including three army officers, were killed on Friday when a military plane crashed in Democratic Republic of Congo.

The plane was travelling to the capital, Kinshasa, from the southwestern city of Kikwit when it experienced a technical problem and attempted to land in Kenge, in Kwango province, said Remy Saki Bokinda, the Kwango vice governor.

"With no landing strip available in Kenge, the plane crashed into a residential plot," he added.

The passengers included General Likulia Bakumi, the army's auditor general, as well as a major, a captain and other military personnel and civilians, Bokinda said.

"All those on board died; 12 were burned beyond recognition, while the pilot's lifeless body was found outside the aircraft," he said.

Congo's aviation accident investigation authority is launching a probe of the crash, a government statement said.