Kinshasa, May 10: More than 200 people may have been killed when a door fell off a Russian-built aircraft flying over the Democratic Republic of Congo, a Kinshasa airport source said, even as officials remained mute over the freak accident. "We have seen this type of aircraft take more than 300 people on board during troop flights," said the source, adding that the death toll from the accident would certainly exceed the initial estimate of 160.
The Ilyushin 76 plane -- which began service in the Soviet era in 1971 -- had been travelling from the capital Kinshasa to the southeastern city of Lubumbashi yesterday night when its rear ramp door flew off. Military sources and witnesses said today that up to 160 people were killed after being sucked out at 2,200 metres above the ground, while 40 others survived, but the government has only confirmed seven deaths.
A policeman who survived the accident said that more than 100 police officers and members of their families had been aboard the plane. He and other survivors said there had also been a large number of clandestine passengers on the flight -- a frequent practice in African countries with poor transport infrastructure.
The crew managed to turn the plane around and fly back to the capital, where the aircraft was swiftly transferred to a military hangar. Bureau Report