Istorik
9th Mar 2007, 07:46
A Kenyan pilot and his plane have gone missing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Capt Hafidh Munyi disappeared on February 15 while delivering food to a village in Walikale in war-torn Goma.
Munyi was alone in a C208 Grand Caravan registration number 5Y BNN, when he went missing, about 105km from Goma town. His family now wants the Government to help trace the father of three.
Munyi’s wife, Habiba, on Thursday told The Standard that they travelled to DRC but could not trace her husband.
"It is painful… our efforts have been fruitless. Let the Government help us," she said.
Mr Patrick Asango, a senior official at Stellavia, the non-governmental organisation that Munyi works for, said after the pilot left Goma for Walikale, he reported that there was poor visibility at the airstrip he was to land.
"He communicated with the control tower and was advised on the weather. He made three landing attempts," he said.
Rescue mission launched
He said Munyi was contemplating flying back to Goma due to heavy rain and thunderstorms. The official said a rescue mission was launched. Three planes, including those of the United Nations, were later sent to help trace his plane.
He said the plane had enough fuel, and also ruled out a crash, saying they visited the scene and did not see signs of an accident.
"When a plane crashes signals are sent to the headquarters. This did not happen. We suspect it landed and was later hijacked," said Asango.
He said Munyi has worked in the area for the past three years. Habiba said an unidentified person is using her husband’s satellite mobile phone.
"The person picks my calls, but does not talk," she said.
Habiba said although she reported the matter to Interpol and at the CID headquarters, no action seems to have been taken.
Capt Hafidh Munyi disappeared on February 15 while delivering food to a village in Walikale in war-torn Goma.
Munyi was alone in a C208 Grand Caravan registration number 5Y BNN, when he went missing, about 105km from Goma town. His family now wants the Government to help trace the father of three.
Munyi’s wife, Habiba, on Thursday told The Standard that they travelled to DRC but could not trace her husband.
"It is painful… our efforts have been fruitless. Let the Government help us," she said.
Mr Patrick Asango, a senior official at Stellavia, the non-governmental organisation that Munyi works for, said after the pilot left Goma for Walikale, he reported that there was poor visibility at the airstrip he was to land.
"He communicated with the control tower and was advised on the weather. He made three landing attempts," he said.
Rescue mission launched
He said Munyi was contemplating flying back to Goma due to heavy rain and thunderstorms. The official said a rescue mission was launched. Three planes, including those of the United Nations, were later sent to help trace his plane.
He said the plane had enough fuel, and also ruled out a crash, saying they visited the scene and did not see signs of an accident.
"When a plane crashes signals are sent to the headquarters. This did not happen. We suspect it landed and was later hijacked," said Asango.
He said Munyi has worked in the area for the past three years. Habiba said an unidentified person is using her husband’s satellite mobile phone.
"The person picks my calls, but does not talk," she said.
Habiba said although she reported the matter to Interpol and at the CID headquarters, no action seems to have been taken.