Emergency workers
Evacuation effort at crash site
Another tragic air disaster hit Nigeria Thursday morning when an Associated Airline aircraft conveying the remains of the former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Segun Agagu, from Lagos to the state capital, Akure, crashed at the local wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport killing an unspecified number of occupants. The dead included a son and daughter of the late former governor even as it is not yet unconfirmed whether another son, who was also feared to be on the ill-fated plane, was among the five people confirmed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to have survived the crash. Sources said that the aircraft crashed near the reserve for aviation fuel, the jet A-1, just seconds after take-off. The casket conveying the body of the late former governor has been recovered intact. A statement by the FAAN on the incident said: “We confirm today the crash of an Embraer 120 (plane) belonging to Associated airlines. The rescue operation commenced immediately with all the relevant agencies moving en masse to the crash site.” The aviation supervisory agency however confirmed that 15 people died while the five who survived the crash were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. The chattered Associated Airlines flight took off at about 9:30 am local time from the domestic terminal of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos with more than 20 people on board but crashed seconds after take-off by the Sahara Group building just metres away from the access gate of the airport. Just one year ago, all passengers aboard a DANA Airlines perished when the aircraft which took off from Abuja, crashed in Lagos.
Statement By the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Corporate Communications Department: This morning at 0932 hours, Local Time, an Embraer 120 aircraft, with registration number 5N-BJY operated by Associated Airlines on a private charter flight from Lagos to Akure, crashed shortly after take-off from the Domestic Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport. At departure, the crew of the chartered operation reported 20 persons on board, including crew. The Control Tower immediately activated the Crash Alarm of the airport as the first step of the Emergency Response Procedure. The First Responders immediately proceeded to the crash site. The FAAN Fire Service Department, ambulances and other relevant emergency apparatus successfully extinguished the fire within 2 minutes despite the surging crowd. The rescue effort secured 6 survivors and 14 fatalities. The 6 survivors were promptly transported to the hospital and are receiving appropriate medical care. Rescue Coordination and Trauma Centers have been set up at the Annex of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to provide necessary information and support. The Authorities are contacting families of the victims of this unfortunate incident, and upon completion, will make information about the identities of the victims public. The Federal Ministry of Aviation deeply commiserates with the families of the victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time. The Black Box of the aircraft has been located and is in the custody of the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau who, with the cooperation of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant agencies have commenced full investigation into the cause of the accident. While it is too early to determine the cause of the accident, we urge the public to be patient while the investigation progresses. I assure the public that the investigation will be thorough and that our airspace remains safe and secure.
Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, OON
Hon. Minister of Aviation.
The Management Of The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Released The Names Of Survivors And Dead Persons Involved In The Crashed Associated Airlines Tragedy in Lagos As Follows:
Passengers:
Feyi Agagu
Femi Akinsanya
Akintunde Joseph
Akeem Akintunde
Tunji Okusanya
Chijioke Duru
Kingsley Amaechi
Deji Afolabi
Mrs. E.O. Alabi
Daji Bernard
Deji Falae
Samson Hassan
Olatunji Okusanya
Crew members:
Capt. Yakubu
Flight officer Oyinlola
Engr. Saroh Elaiye
Flight dispatcher Ibrahim
Mr. Felix Tatoye
Cabin Attendant Owolabi
Cabin Attendant Samson.
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