Small plane crashes in Congo's South Kivu province, death toll unknown, official says The USA Times

Lady Gaga won't change show to placate protesters on Asian tour, manager says . Not something you'd ever forget: A look at wacky, wrinkly Eurovision Song Contest contenders . US soldier seeks dismissal of 10 counts in WikiLeaks case, says they're unconstitutional . Generation gap: Parents and their kids feud all the way to the ballot box in Egypt vote . AL Capsules: Pujols belts 450th home run, leads Angels to 3-0 win over Mariners . Rogge says IOC still working to get Saudi Arabia to send women athletes to London Olympics . Adoring crowds await Thai king as he makes takes 1st trip outside Bangkok in almost 3 years . Adoring crowds await Thai king as he makes takes 1st trip outside Bangkok in almost 3 years . New French President Francois Hollande in surprise Afghanistan visit, discussing early pullout . Janet Jackson shows off her new curves at a charity gala in France .

Friday, May 25, 2012

Small plane crashes in Congo's South Kivu province, death toll unknown, official says

KINSHASA, Congo - A provincial official in the Congolese province of South Kivu says a plane has crashed after takeoff and there is no news of the passengers on board.

Laban Kyalangalilwa, the minister in charge of transportation in South Kivu province, said Tuesday the plane took off from the city of Bukavu at 7:45 a.m. on Monday and was due to land at an airport in the town of Namoya an hour later. The plane never arrived.

He said a second plane was sent to survey the route, and they found what looked like the debris of the Antonov about 6 miles (10 kilometres) away from the Namoya runway.

Kyalangalilwa said that there were at least five people on board. He could not confirm whether any had survived, but said that it was unlikely given the degree of debris at the crash site.