Seven killed, three Russians, in airplane crash in Congo

A Russian-made airplane crashed into the forest in Eastern Congo killing seven, including three Russian crew members, U.N. officials said Monday.

The Antonov 26 aircraft crashed near the town of Isiro, a few hundred kilometers (miles) northeast of Kisangani shortly before landing early Monday.

"The aircraft hit a palm tree on its way down," U.N. spokesman Kemal Saiki told The Associated Press. Four crew members, including three Russians and one Congolese as well as three Congolese civilians died in the crash, Saiki said.