Plane crash in Congo: 25 Dead

A small passenger plane carrying at least 17 passengers crashed shortlyafter takeoff Sunday in Congo's eastern city of Goma, killing at least 25people, including people on the ground.

There are two survivors, including one member of the crew, according to theNational Border Health Program, which confirmed 25 dead in a statement laterSunday. The survivors are being cared for at a local hospital, it said.

The 19-seater aircraft crashed into residential homes in the Mapendodistrict near Goma's airport in the North Kivu province shortly after "missing"its takeoff, according to provincial governor Nzanzu Kasivita Carly. Blacksmoke rose from the plane in the morning, whose wreckage could be seen amiddestroyed homes as dozens of men tried to help with the rescue efforts. Thesmoke cleared as rescue workers carried bodies in stretchers and hundredsgathered at the scene.

Placide Kambale, a local pilot, said he took a taxi to the scene of thecrash to help out. When he got there, the plane was on fire.

"I called other young people from the neighborhood, they helped me to tryto remove those who still moved," he said. "We have managed to recover two thatwas quickly sent to the hospital," but then the fire expanded.

Joseph Makundi, the coordinator of the North-Kivu civil protection, said that at least 25 people had been killed.

The Dornier 228-200 was owned by private carrier Busy Beeand was headed to Beni, about 350 kilometers (220 miles) north of Goma in thesame province.

Congo's government said there were 17 passengers aboard theplane, according to the manifest.

The U.N. mission in Congo said it sent an Emergency Crashand Rescue team with two fire engines to support Congolese authorities.

Plane crashes are frequent in the central African nation ofCongo because of poor maintenance and relaxed air safety standards. None ofCongo's commercial carriers, including Busy Bee, are allowed to fly intoEuropean Union airspace because of safety concerns.