Congolese plane crashes, explodes in Kinshasa

KINSHASA, Oct 4 (Reuters) A Russian-made cargo plane with 17 people on board crashed and exploded today in a crowded neighbourhood of Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa, airport officials and witnesses said.

The aircraft belonging to Congolese airline Africa 1 came down on houses in the Kingasani neighbourhood near Ndili international airport, the sources said.

''There were 17 people onboard,'' said airport protocol official Jean-Claude Bakongo, who said a major explosion followed the crash.

''I saw it fall in the Kingasani neighbourhood.'' REUTERS JK PM1638