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Death Toll Rises in Congo Plane Crash


The death toll from Thursday's plane crash in Congo's capital, Kinshasa, has risen to at least 37 people.

Rescue workers are still picking through wreckage from the crash early Friday, looking for bodies or more survivors.

The Russian-built Antonov 26 crashed into a residential neighborhood shortly after takeoff, destroying several homes as it came down and igniting a fire that burned into the early hours of Friday.

There has been no word on what caused the accident.

At least one member of the plane's crew survived the crash and is in a local hospital, reportedly in critical condition.

Reports from the scene say 22 of the dead were killed on the plane, while 15 victims died from injuries sustained on the ground.

The plane belonged to the Congolese airline "Africa One." "Africa One" is one of more than 50 Congolese airlines banned from flying in Europe because of safety concerns.

In 1996, a larger Antonov 26 hit a Kinshasa market and killed 300 people, in one of the worst air accidents in Congo's history.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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