International
Two Pilots Killed, Dozens Injured After Air Canada Jet Collides with Fire Truck
Two pilots were killed and at least 41 people were hospitalized after an Air Canada regional jet struck a Port Authority fire truck on a runway at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night, officials said.
The incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. on March 22, 2026, when Air Canada Flight 8646 — operated by Jazz Aviation as an Air Canada Express service — was landing after departing from Montreal.
The Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft, carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, collided with the airport’s Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle, which was crossing the runway in response to a separate incident.
Both the captain, identified as 30-year-old Antoine Forest, and the first officer, Mackenzie Gunther, died in the crash. The impact heavily damaged the cockpit area of the jet.
At least 41 passengers and crew were transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to serious, while additional people were treated at the scene. Two Port Authority workers in the fire truck were also reported injured.
Passengers described the collision as sudden and violent, with some crediting the pilots’ actions for helping mitigate a worse outcome.
CCTV and other video footage captured the moments leading up to and during the collision, showing the aircraft striking the emergency vehicle. Air traffic control audio reportedly included urgent calls of “Stop, truck 1. Stop” just before impact.
LaGuardia Airport was temporarily closed following the crash, causing widespread flight delays and cancellations across the New York area. It reopened on Monday at reduced capacity as investigators continued their work on the scene.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), along with Canadian aviation authorities and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, have launched a full investigation into the runway incursion and collision.
Preliminary reports suggest the fire truck had been cleared to cross the active runway.
Air Canada expressed condolences to the families of the deceased pilots and said it is cooperating fully with investigators.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragic event,” the airline stated. This marks a rare fatal ground collision at a major U.S. airport in recent years, raising fresh questions about runway safety protocols and vehicle movements during active landings.
International
Death toll in South Africa bar shooting rises to 18, police say
The motive for the attack was not clear but the area is reportedly gripped by rivalry between gangs involved in illicit mining for gold.
• Forensic officers and the army at the scene of a mass shooting at a bar in Wedela township, 27 September, 2026 AP Photo
The death toll from a mass shooting at a South African tavern has risen to 18 after one person died in hospital, police said on Monday, announcing at least two of the dead were Lesotho nationals.
The shooting west of Johannesburg late on Saturday was part of a bloody weekend in the crime-weary country, with 10 people killed in another mass shooting in Cape Town on Sunday.
Eight gunmen armed with assault rifles stormed the bar in the semi-rural township of Wedela, around 80 kilometres from central Johannesburg, and killed13 men and four women, police said.
“One more victim has died in hospital, bringing the total number of deceased to 18,” they said.
“Only four of the deceased have been identified, two South Africans and two Lesotho nationals.”
The motive for the attack was not clear but the area is reportedly gripped by rivalry between gangs involved in illicit mining for gold.
Thousands of unregistered miners operate in abandoned mining shafts in South Africa, many coming from across southern Africa, including the kingdom of Lesotho which is within South Africa.
International
Congo military plane crash kills 13, including three officers
“All those on board died; 12 were burned beyond recognition, while the pilot’s lifeless body was found outside the aircraft.”
Thirteen people including three army officers were killed on Friday when a military plane crashed in Democratic Republic of Congo, an official said.
Reuters reported that the plane was travelling to the capital, Kinshasa, from the southwestern city of Kikwit when it experienced a technical problem and attempted to land in Kenge, in Kwango province, said Remy Saki Bokinda, the Kwango vice governor.
“With no landing strip available in Kenge, the plane crashed into a residential plot,” he said.
The passengers included General Likulia Bakumi, the army’s auditor general, as well as a major, a captain and other military personnel and civilians, Bokinda said.
“All those on board died; 12 were burned beyond recognition, while the pilot’s lifeless body was found outside the aircraft,” he said.
Congo’s aviation accident investigation authority is launching a probe of the crash, a government statement said.
Congo’s army suffered significant setbacks last year at the hands of Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 rebels who seized large swathes of the east.
International
At UN, 80 countries demand reopening of Hormuz, condemn Iran, Houthi attacks
“Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to threaten international security and navigational rights and freedoms,” said a joint statement read out by Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani at the United Nations.
• UN General Assembly
Some 80 countries at the ongoing 81st United Nations General Assembly on Thursday demanded the urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and condemned Iran and its Houthi allies for attacks in the region and disruption to international trade and energy security.
“Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to threaten international security and navigational rights and freedoms,” said a joint statement read out by Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani at the United Nations.
“We also strongly condemn the Houthis’ decision to resume conflict in Yemen, their continuous strikes on Saudi Arabia, and their reckless attacks in the Red Sea,” the statement said.
The statement’s backers included Gulf Arab states and major Western powers.
It added that the Houthis’ advance towards Bab el-Mandeb Strait would also only heighten risks to international shipping, maritime security and global trade.
Both Iran and the Houthis frame their actions as defensive.
Credit: REUTERS
BREAKING: Tragic One-Way Crash Claims Tricycle Driver’s Life in Meiran Lagos
BREAKING: AAC sues Tinubu, NASS over Europe vacation
2027: Atiku, ADC Move to Amend Suit Challenging Tinubu’s Eligibility
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Business22 hours agoSEC Highlights Focus of National Capital Market Conference 2026
-
Business21 hours agoNGX Debuts Invest WhatsApp Channel
-
Sports21 hours agoFlamingos win WAFU B U-17 women’s tournament
-
Business22 hours agoNaira To Dollar, Pound, Euro …Today, September 28
-
News21 hours agoNigeria is 66, Thursday October 1
-
Business22 hours agoGhana Moves to Cut Domestic Airfares as Ticket Prices Stay High
-
Entertainment21 hours agoMadonna and Taylor Swift win big at the MTV VMAs
-
News14 hours agoJUST IN: Fire Engulfs Lagos Customs Command Office