5th April 2011

There was only one survivor out of 33 passengers and crew of a United Nations plane that crashed at the main airport in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Monday (4th April 2011).

A United Nations official told Reuters that the plane was trying to land in rainy, windy weather, and that it “landed heavily, broke into two and caught fire.”

The UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) reported that the plane was carrying 29 passengers and four crew members. All but five of the passengers worked for the UN, with the others working for international organizations or non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Most of the UN staff on board worked for MONUSCO but some were serving with UN agencies.

The operator of the plane, Georgian flag carrier Airzena Georgian Airways, said the crew was Georgian.

Congolese Health Ministry official Joseph Kiboko said: "We sent eight people to hospital who were still breathing, but I don't know whether they survived. Both the pilots were killed."

Condolences and statements of sympathy have been made by both the UK and the U.S.

Henry Bellingham MP and Minister for Africa said:

“I would like to express the British Government’s deepest condolences following yesterday’s UN plane crash in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Those who died were some of the many UN and aid workers who work in difficult and sometimes very dangerous circumstances trying to build peace and alleviate humanitarian suffering in DRC. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims.”

Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations said:

"I am deeply saddened to learn of the crash of a United Nations plane at the Kinshasa airport in the Democratic Republic of the Congo today. As we know well, a stable and prosperous future for the DRC must begin with peace for its people, and UN personnel have worked courageously to strengthen the protection of the nation’s women, men and children after years of strife. The loss of humanitarians and peacekeepers today is a tragedy for the United Nations, for the people of the DRC, and for all who wish for peace.

"The United States stands ready to assist the UN in the aftermath of this terrible accident. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who have been lost."

MONUSCO has set up a task force in the wake of the crash to lead the investigation and determine what follow-up actions are needed. Counsellors are being provided for affected staff and a hotline is also being established for the families and friends of the crash victims.

The peacekeeping mission said the names of the victims will be released after their bodies have been positively identified and the next of kin informed.