Top official dead, minister hurt in Congo plane crash

Baltimore Star (IANS) Sunday 12th February, 2012

An adviser to the Democratic Republic of Congo's president was killed and the finance minister injured in a plane crash Sunday, Xinhua reported.

Finance Minister Matata Ponyo Mapon was seriously injured in the accident that took place near Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.

The name of the presidential adviser was not disclosed. The government also did not release the total number of casualties or the number of passengers in the plane.

However, Xinhua said there might be several central and local government officials.

The report said the Democratic Republic of Congo is known for poorly maintained airports as well as for lack of proper technical control mechanisms and a system to verify professional licences.

The country's airlines are reportedly blacklisted by the European Union over safety and management concerns.