DR CONGO: Five die in presidential motorcade crash

Five people have been killed following an accident involving a cement truck and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s presidential motorcade. The three soldiers and two civilians died as President Joseph Kabila was returning to the capital, Kinshasa. Another 11 people were injured, a presidential spokesman confirmed to news agency AFP. The spokesman said the accident […]

Five people have been killed following an accident involving a cement truck and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s presidential motorcade.

The three soldiers and two civilians died as President Joseph Kabila was returning to the capital, Kinshasa.

Another 11 people were injured, a presidential spokesman confirmed to news agency AFP.

The spokesman said the accident was caused by “heavy rain”, although early reports suggested speed was a factor.

Witnesses told Radio Okapi [in French] speed was “the main cause” of the incident, which happened 220km (110 miles) south of Kinshasa.

Communications official Yvon Ramazani told AFP “a vehicle in the presidential motorcade was hit on the Matadi highway at Kimpese by a truck carrying cement” on Tuesday evening.