Congo Plane Crash Leaves at Least 25 Dead

KINSHASA, Congo — In a thunderous blast, a cargo plane slammed into an impoverished residential neighborhood in Congo's capital seconds after takeoff yesterday, leaving at least 25 people dead in a smoky wreckage of concrete blocks and twisted debris.

The fiery crash underscored the dangers of flying in Congo, which has experienced more fatal air crashes than any other African country since 1945, according to the Aviation Safety Network. The turboprop belonged to the Congolese company Africa One, which has been barred from flying in the European Union because of safety concerns.

Citing police reports, a U.N. peacekeeping spokesman, Michel Bonnardeaux, said 25 people were killed and that two aboard the plane survived — a mechanic and a flight attendant who was in critical condition. Police said that amid the wreckage, it was difficult to determine how many had been aboard the plane and how many on the ground. Transport Minister Remy Kuseyo said at least three people on the ground died.