A military helicopter operated by FARDC crashed into Lake Tanganyika this week while travelling from Uvira to Kalemie, according to multiple local sources.
Updated reports indicate the crash occurred on December 6 near Yungu in South Kivu.
Witnesses said one person died in the incident, while three survivors described as European nationals were rescued from the water with injuries.
Video circulating online shows local fishermen and emergency teams retrieving debris and assisting the wounded. FARDC has not yet issued a formal statement identifying the passengers.
The cause of the crash remains uncertain. Some accounts circulating in the region allege the aircraft may have been shot down by M23/AFC fighters, but there is no official confirmation to support this claim.
Mechanical failure or other factors have also not been ruled out.
The reported presence of foreign nationals on board has raised questions about the role of European military contractors in ongoing FARDC operations.
Several sources claim the passengers were part of such groups, though these assertions remain unverified.
The crash occurred amid increasing military tension in eastern DR Congo, where M23/AFC forces continue to make advances against FARDC positions.
Authorities are expected to release additional information as investigations continue.