DR Congo Mines Minister Survives Plane Fire After Runway Overshoot at Kolwezi Airport
JHNews || A government plane carrying DR Congo’s Mines Minister overshot the runway and went up in flames—but authorities are calling it “fortunate” simply because no one died. Another stark reminder of Africa’s chronic aviation safety failures and the dangerous conditions top officials continue to fly in.
HENRY GERCHI 
Lualaba Province, DR Congo — A government aircraft carrying the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of Mines, Louis Watum Kabamba, and a high-level delegation overshot the runway during landing at Kolwezi Airport and burst into flames on Tuesday.
According to preliminary reports, the aircraft veered off the tarmac moments after touchdown, igniting a fire that quickly engulfed parts of the plane. Airport emergency crews responded rapidly, enabling all passengers and crew to escape without injury.
The cause of the incident is not yet known, but aviation authorities have begun investigations into possible mechanical failure, pilot error, or weather-related complications.
Minister Watum Kabamba and the delegation had traveled to Lualaba Province for official engagements related to the country’s mining sector.
