Only One Survivor in UN Plane Crash

A United Nations spokesman has confirmed only one person survived a plane crash Monday in the Congo. The plane, which belonged on the U.N. mission in the Congo, crashed while trying to land at the airport in Kinshasa. Initial reports say the aircraft missed the landing strip and broke apart before bursting into flames.

The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, but strong winds and heavy rain may have played a part. The Kinshasa airport reported 23 mph winds at the time of the crash. The incident is under investigation.

Most of the 33 passengers on board the aircraft were U.N. staffers. At least 5 people worked for other agencies. The identity of the survivor has not been released.

"The United Nations has and continues to play a critical role in helping the Congolese government bring peace and stability to the country. [This] tragedy underscores the risks that UN personnel undertake worldwide. The United States strongly supports the UN in its mission and will continue to do so in this difficult time," said U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner.

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