DR Congo: President Kabila's aide dies in plane crash

12 February 2012 Last updated at 15:37

A senior adviser to the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kabila, has been killed in a plane crash in the east of the country.

Augustin Katumba Mwanke died when the private jet came down near the town of Bukavu, a statement read out on national TV said. The pilot also died.

Finance Minister Matato Ponyo Mapo and a provincial governor were among other passengers who were seriously injured.

The crash happened when the plane overshot the runway, officials said.

"Unfortunately, I have to confirm the death of Katumba Mwanke and the pilot," government spokesman Lambert Mende told Reuters.

"It's a very big loss, he was considered a pillar of the presidential majority," he added.

The accident is the latest in a string of crashes in the DR Congo - a country which has one of the world's worst air safety records.

Last July, a passenger plane with 112 people on board went down at Kisangani airport, in the north, killing more than 50 people.

In April, a UN plane crashed as it attempted to land in heavy rain in Kinshasa, killing 32 of 33 people on board.

This article can be found at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17004512

Bethany in the DR Congo