DRC: Senior Kabila Advisor Dies in Plane Crash

Posted February 12th, 2012 at 2:30 pm (UTC-5)
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A plane crash in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has killed a close advisor to President Joseph Kabila, along with at least one other person.

Augustin Katumba Mwanke died when a private jet apparently overshot the runway at Bukavu airport. The pilot was also killed.

The country's finance minister, Matata Ponyo, and South Kivu Governor Marcellin Cishambo were injured in the crash and hospitalized, along with Antoine Ghonda, who is described as a roving ambassador.

The exact number of people aboard the plane and details of the crash remain unclear.

Mwanke was considered an important member of the Kabila administration, enjoying considerable power.

Plane crashes are frequent in the central African country, which has one of the world's worst safety records.