Nigeria Begins Rescue Operation After Military Aircraft Crashes in Ondo

Nigeria has launched a search-and-rescue operation after a military aircraft carrying 32 people crashed in Ondo state, with authorities yet to confirm whether there were casualties.

The Nigerian air force identified the aircraft as an ATR-42 and said it was travelling from Benin to Lagos on a routine flight. Air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane at 09:13 local time, or 0813 GMT, after which repeated attempts to reach it by radio were unsuccessful.

Wreckage located near Igbokoda

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said the wreckage had been located near the naval base in Igbokoda, in southwest Nigeria. Rescue teams were deployed to the site as the search-and-rescue effort continued.

“The wreckage has been located and search and rescue operations are ongoing,” Keyamo said. He also said the Aviation Ministry was offering “total cooperation and assistance” to the rescue effort.

Keyamo said preliminary information indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were aboard the aircraft. The figures have not been presented as final.

Casualties not confirmed

Authorities had not confirmed any deaths or injuries. It was also not immediately clear how severely the aircraft was damaged.

Keyamo said he had spoken with Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff, as rescue operations continued. Further information on those aboard the aircraft and their condition had not been confirmed.