DATE=4/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGO EXPLOSION (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261432
BYLINE=JOHN PITMAN
DATELINE=ABIDJAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The death toll from Friday's explosion at
Kinshasa's international airport, in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, has risen to more than one-
hundred. Congolese authorities are still
investigating the blast, which also injured up to 250
people. VOA's John Pitman has details from our West
Africa bureau.
TEXT: Authorities in Congo-Kinshasa say the death
toll could still rise, as Red Cross teams continue to
search the blast site for bodies.
/// OPT /// Between one-hundred-four and one-hundred-
nine deaths have been confirmed, but the identities of
many of the victims remain unknown because of the
condition of their bodies. /// END OPT ///
As many as 250 people were injured in the explosion,
which occurred after a warehouse at the N'djili
airport caught fire, and spread to an area where
weapons were being stored.
Congolese authorities are investigating the fire and
say they have not ruled out sabotage as a possible
cause.
Parts of the airport's customs zone were destroyed in
the explosion, and windows in the terminal building
were blown out. The runway was not damaged, however,
and some traffic has resumed.
/// REST OPT ///
A number of aircraft were destroyed in the fire and
explosion, including several belonging to the Congo
Airlines. Reuters news agency says two United Nations
planes were also severely damaged and will have to be
replaced.
Congolese President Laurent Kabila, who visited the
scene shortly after the explosion, has declared a
period of national mourning for the victims of the
blast. The government has also donated seven million
Congolese francs - about seven hundred and seventy-
five thousand U-S dollars - to pay for the victims'
funerals. (SIGNED)
NEB/JP/GE/JO
17-Apr-2000 14:58 PM EDT (17-Apr-2000 1858 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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