Congolese Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba Survives Fiery Plane Accident in Kolwezi

 

The Democratic Republic of the Congo narrowly avoided tragedy on Monday morning after Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba and members of his delegation survived a terrifying plane accident in the southern city of Kolwezi. The incident occurred around 11:00 a.m., when the chartered aircraft carrying the minister veered off the runway and burst into flames shortly after landing.

According to government officials, the aircraft—an Embraer jet operated by Airjet Angola—was on final approach to Kolwezi Airport when something went wrong upon touchdown. Instead of coming to a controlled stop, the plane skidded violently across the tarmac, scraping its underside and ultimately sliding off Runway 29. Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft appeared unstable as it landed before it suddenly tilted and continued moving uncontrollably.

Within seconds, the tail section of the aircraft ignited, sending flames shooting upward as thick black smoke billowed into the sky. Dramatic footage shared online showed the entire rear half of the plane engulfed in fire as emergency responders sprinted toward the burning wreckage. Fire crews armed with hoses battled the intense flames while others rushed to save passengers still trapped inside the cabin.

Some passengers seated near the cabin door managed to escape quickly through the front steps, which miraculously opened despite the impact. However, those seated near the middle of the plane—and especially near the burning tail—were forced to flee through alternative exits. Several individuals were seen climbing onto the wing before jumping onto the ground below, clutching their belongings as they escaped the rising flames.

 

 

Isaac Nyembo, the communications advisor to Minister Kabamba, confirmed the frightening ordeal, stating that the aircraft “ran off the runway during landing.” He added that while the event caused widespread panic inside the cabin, emergency evacuation was swift enough to prevent fatalities.

Footage recorded by a passenger moments before the crash landing showed the aircraft’s wing scraping harshly against the ground. The video also captured the chaos that followed, with passengers screaming and scrambling to their feet just as the tail section caught fire.

In what many are calling a miracle, no deaths or major injuries were reported, despite the severity of the crash and the rapid spread of the fire. The aircraft, however, was completely destroyed, reduced to a charred shell by the time rescue teams extinguished the flames.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the failed landing. As of now, it remains unclear whether the incident was due to pilot error, mechanical failure, or runway conditions at the time.

Minister Kabamba, 63, had been en route to visit the Kalondo Mine, where a separate tragedy had occurred over the weekend. On Saturday, more than 30 semi-industrial copper miners lost their lives after a bridge near a mine shaft collapsed. Reports indicate that heavy rainfall and a surge in panicked workers contributed to the deadly incident. Congo’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Support and Guidance Service stated that the panic was allegedly triggered by gunfire from military personnel securing the site.

Human rights groups, including the Initiative for the Protection of Human Rights, have called for an independent investigation into the miners’ deaths.

While the nation mourns the mining tragedy, Monday’s plane accident has drawn relief and gratitude, as the survival of the Minister and his delegation is being hailed as nothing short of miraculous

 

Watch the video below 

Video Player

00:00

00:50