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Embassy confirms one Russian killed in Congo plane crash

The plane crashed just 7 kilometers from the landing strip amid pouring rain

MOSCOW, March 5 (Itar-Tass) – Russian Embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed that a Russian citizen was killed in the crash of a Fokker 50 airplane in the eastern city of Goma.

“Today the Ministry of Transport of the Democratic Republic of Congo confirmed the death of the captain of the airliner owned by the private airline CAA, Russian citizen Alexander Bazhenov, 46,” the embassy told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.

“At present, the Russian embassy provides necessary legal and consulting services to the wife of the killed pilot. We are in close contact with the wife of the dead and do our utmost to deliver his body to Russia,” the embassy said.

The airliner crashed in the centre of Goma close to the central election commission’s building, but did not hit any people on the ground.

According to the Congolese Ministry of Transport, all other crewmembers and passengers were Congolese citizens. Five crewmembers and a bodyguard were killed in the crash. Three passengers survived and were hospitalized with injuries.

The plane crashed just 7 kilometers from the landing strip amid pouring rain.

The twin-turboprop short-haul airliner Fokker 50 is capable of carrying up to 58 passengers.

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