Escaped Crocodile Causes Congo Plane Crash That Kills 20

The lone survivor of the August crash is now explaining the "bizarre tale":

According to the inquiry report and the testimony of the only survivor, the crash happened because of a panic sparked by the escape of a crocodile hidden in a sports bag.

One of the passengers had hidden the animal, which he planned to sell, in a big sports bag, from which the reptile escaped as the plane began its descent into Bandundu.

A report of the incident said: "The terrified air hostess hurried towards the cockpit, followed by the passengers."

The plane was then sent off-balance "despite the desperate efforts of the pilot", said the report.

The crash occurred on August 25th during a routine flight from Kinshasa to a regional airport in Bandundu.