At least 14 people, including two senior military officials, died in a plane crash in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the military confirmed on Friday.

Among the victims were Lieutenant General Mutombo Katalayi Tiende, who served as head of the military court, and Lieutenant General Bakumi Likulia, the auditor general of the armed forces. The fatalities also included twelve additional members of the delegation and crew aboard the aircraft, according to a statement by Major General Efomi Ekenge, spokesperson for the Congolese military.

The plane was en route to Kinshasa, the capital, from Kikwit in the southwestern part of the country when it encountered technical difficulties. It subsequently crashed near Kenge, resulting in the deaths of all passengers and crew on board, local officials reported.

Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash, with military officials indicating that more information will be forthcoming as the inquiry progresses.