An Irish national has died in an airplane crash in the African State of the Congo.



The wreckage of the aircraft was found in dense jungle in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon's minister of communications Issa Tchiroma Bakary said.



Ballymena-born, James Cassley, and the entire board of Sundance Resources, including mining magnate, Ken Talbot, were among the 11 passengers killed.



Mr Cassley (30), was brought up in Quin, Co Clare but had been living in London for some time and was travelling on a British passport.



James, an only child, was married to a Chinese woman, Hong. He worked for a Canadian investment bank in London and was in Africa on business.



His mother paid him a moving tribute: “James was a very intelligent, pleasant person and a joy to be around. He was one of a kind and just a very bright lad, and a loving son. He loved to travel and always did so extensively both in his personal life and at work. He never went on a beach holiday in his life." said his mother.



The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it was providing consular assistance to his family.