A small aircraft carrying seventeen passengers en route to the city of Beni crashed during takeoff in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, AFP reported, citing witnesses.
Rescue services told the agency they've recovered the bodies of 23 people - including 17 passengers and two crew members - from under the wreckage.
The news comes as the Central African country faces a major flood. The disaster has claimed up to 25 lives and 180,000 remain in need of humanitarian help.