A plane carrying Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Minister of Mines, Louis Watum Kabamba, and a government delegation veered off the runway during landing at Kolwezi Airport in Lualaba Province, catching fire. Remarkably, all passengers, including the minister, escaped safely before the aircraft was fully engulfed.

The Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft was carrying a delegation on official duties when the incident occurred. Authorities confirmed that no fatalities or serious injuries were reported. An investigation into the accident has been launched to determine the cause.

The minister’s office expressed relief that all members of the delegation survived and thanked emergency responders for their quick action.

This incident highlights the importance of stringent safety protocols for government and commercial flights in the region.