Kinshasa, May 10: The rear door of a cargo plane burst open over Congo, hurling dozens of soldiers, their wives and children to their deaths while others survived by clinging to the aircraft as it returned to the airport, officials said. There was confusion over the death toll. Two officials at the international airport told yesterday that 129 people were feared dead. Later, a third official estimated the casualties were about half that, saying the exact figure may be difficult to determine because of an incomplete manifest. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity.
The plane, a Russian-built Ilyushin 76, lost its door 10,000 meters about 45 minutes after takeoff on Thursday night from Kinshasa, the capital of the central African nation, said government spokesman Kikaya bin Karubi.
He said seven people were confirmed dead and military helicopters were searching the region for more casualties. He did not provide details but confirmed that those who died had been ``ejected from the plane.''
People in Africa often travel on overcrowded, modified cargo planes that have few seats, leaving most passengers to cram in among belongings in the rear of the aircraft.
``They were traumatized,'' said Kabamba Mbwebwe, a doctor who treated victims. ``The door opened and the plane depressurized. " Many were sucked out.''
The flight crew managed to fly the plane back to the capital, where it could be seen the next day on the tarmac, missing a door.
Nine survivors were treated for minor injuries and psychological trauma at Kinshasa General Hospital.
Bureau Report