Military aircraft carrying 32 people crashes in Nigeria:25 passengers and 7 crew members on board; crashes near river, search operation underway

A Nigerian military aircraft carrying 32 people crashed in southern Nigeria on Monday, with the aircraft coming down near a river in Ondo State. The number of casualties has not yet been confirmed. The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and seven crew members when it disappeared from radar at around 9 a.m. local time. The crash occurred near the riverside town of Igbokonda, close to a naval base. Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said the aircraft was travelling to Lagos, the country’s economic hub, on a routine mission. Aircraft crashed near river Local residents said the aircraft came down near the river, with part of the wreckage reportedly submerged in the water. Eyewitness Akinbulejo Pius said he heard a loud noise that sounded like thunder before seeing the aircraft fly over the trees and then crash. Body parts, clothes and shoes were reportedly found at the crash site. ATR-42 used for military missions The Nigerian Air Force identified the aircraft as an ATR-42. The Nigerian military uses the aircraft for intelligence gathering, surveillance and transporting personnel and equipment. ​