A commission sent to inspect a mining disaster found itself in the middle of one
Author auto.pub |
Published on: 19.11.2025
The aircraft carrying Congo’s mining minister and his delegation to Kolwezi slid off the runway and caught fire, a scene uncomfortably close to the tragedy they had come to investigate. Everyone escaped and continued toward the mine, the smell of smoke trailing behind them like an unwelcome adviser.
The minister travelled to Lualaba Province to examine a recent collapse at a cobalt mine that killed dozens of workers. The delegation had barely arrived when events took a sharp turn. The landing gear failed as the aircraft touched down, the plane veered to the side, then ignited.
All officials climbed out before the fire consumed the fuselage. It was a jarring introduction to crisis conditions, delivered well before they reached the disaster zone itself.
