Zim plane crash kills two
25/02/2005 21:05  - (SA)  

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Zimbabwe Special Report  Latest Zimbabwe Stories

Johannesburg - A Zimbabwe air force plane crashed soon after takeoff from Harare International Airport, killing the two pilots on board, state radio reported on Friday.

The transport plane was on a training exercise when the accident happened on Thursday, an Air Force of Zimbabwe official was quoted as saying. The cause was not immediately known.

"Two Air Force of Zimbabwe pilots were killed on Thursday night when an AFZ transport aircraft, a Casa 212, crashed on take-off at the Harare International Airport," air force spokesperson Simon Matingwina told the New Ziana news agency.

Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi visited the crash site and also consoled family members of the two victims, Zimbabwe radio said.

Plane crashes of any type are rare in the southern African country, which has maintained high standards of aviation safety despite chronic economic difficulties that have affected the supply of fuel and spare parts.

Thursday's accident is likely to put a further dent in the reputation of Zimbabwe's defence forces after soldiers fired live ammunition in a mock battle staged at a fair in the eastern town of Marondera last September, injuring 14 spectators including children.

Three Zimbabwe National Army soldiers were this week fined and two of them were demoted for their role in the incident. - AFP/AP

- AP

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