The army said in the statement that 11 army officers, including three generals, had died. It added that six civilians, including two women and two children, had also died. - Reuters (File Photo)

JOHANNESBURG: Seventeen people were killed when an Angolan military aircraft crashed at an airport in Huambo on Wednesday, state news agency Angop reported, citing a statement from the country's armed forces command.

The army said in the statement that 11 army officers, including three generals, had died. It added that six civilians, including two women and two children, had also died.

Media reports had earlier said at least 30 people had died in the plane that carried 36 passengers.

The army said it had opened an inquiry to investigate the causes of the crash.

The accident took place at Albano Machado airport in Huambo, 550 km (330 miles) southwest of the capital Luanda, and which was last month re-opened following a three-month, dollar 60 million refurbishment.

Opinion

Editorial

New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.
Ceasefire, finally
Updated 26 Mar, 2024

Ceasefire, finally

Palestinian lives matter, and a generation of orphaned Gazan children will be looking to the world community to secure justice for them.
Afghan return
26 Mar, 2024

Afghan return

FOLLOWING a controversial first repatriation phase involving ‘illegal’ Afghan refugees last November, the...
Planes and plans
26 Mar, 2024

Planes and plans

FOR the past many years, PIA has been getting little by way of good press, mostly on account of internal...