More than half of the 200 passengers aboard a Russian-built Ilyushin 76 cargo plane, similar to the one seen in this file picture, flying across Congo were feared dead after the aircraft's rear door burst open in mid-flight, airport officials said Friday,
KINSHASA, Congo - The rear door of a Russian-built cargo plane burst open as the aircraft carried police officials and their relatives across Congo, and 129 passengers were sucked out, airport officials said Friday.
Kikaya Bin Karubi, a Congolese government spokesman, said seven people had been confirmed dead after being "ejected from the plane" at an altitude of 33,000 feet near the southern city of Mbuji-Mayi. Officials were investigating the possibility of other casualties, he said.