Khaberni - The Minister of Mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Louis Watum Kampamba, and his accompanying delegation survived a plane crash this Monday morning while it was landing at Kolwezi Airport in Lualaba Province, south of the country, without any injuries among the passengers or crew.
Local sources reported that the plane, an Embraer ERJ 145 operated by 'Airjet Angola', was carrying Kampamba from the city of Lubumbashi to Kolwezi, where it landed before the runway threshold causing its main wheels to collapse and veer off the track, before its tail caught fire.
The emergency teams managed to evacuate all 29 passengers, including the Minister of Mines, as the plane was completely burnt.
Social media activists shared video clips showing flames rising from the plane while citizens and rescue teams rushed to the site of the accident.
The incident occurred less than 48 hours after a mine collapse near the village of Mulondo in the Kalando area, which resulted in the death of at least 49 artisanal miners.
The Congolese minister had traveled to the area to inspect the site of the tragedy and to offer condolences to the families of the victims in what was described as a humanitarian and emergency mission.
The authorities have announced the opening of an extensive investigation to determine the exact causes of the accident, amid speculations of a technical malfunction during the landing process.
A plane crash carrying a delegation accompanying the Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of #Congo during its landing at Kolwezi Airport in Lualaba Province, with reports indicating no injuries among passengers. pic.twitter.com/0ZWLwHej1S
— Khaberni - khaberni (@khaberni) November 17, 2025
