Kolwezi is the capital city of Lualaba Province in the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It serves as a significant regional hub, featuring an airport and a railway connection to Lubumbashi. The city is also notable for the static inverter plant of the HVDC Inga-Shaba project located just outside its boundaries, which is part of a major power transmission system. With a population of approximately 573,000, it is a key urban center in the region.
The city has gained recent international attention due to an aviation incident. In November 2025, an Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft experienced a crash landing at Kolwezi Airport. Reports indicate the aircraft overran the runway and caught fire during the landing.
Notably, a government delegation was aboard the flight, including the DR Congo Mines Minister. All occupants were reported to have evacuated safely, with no fatalities resulting from the accident. The incident has drawn widespread media coverage, highlighting both the event itself and the fortunate outcome for those involved.
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