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| Nigeria opens air crash inquiry | Nigeria opens air crash inquiry |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo has ordered an investigation into a plane crash on Sunday in Abuja, in which 96 people were killed. | Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo has ordered an investigation into a plane crash on Sunday in Abuja, in which 96 people were killed. |
| The Boeing 737 passenger jet came down almost immediately after take-off on a flight to the northern city of Sokoto. | The Boeing 737 passenger jet came down almost immediately after take-off on a flight to the northern city of Sokoto. |
| Among the dead was the spiritual leader of Nigeria's Muslims, the Sultan of Sokoto. Nine people are reported to have survived the crash. | Among the dead was the spiritual leader of Nigeria's Muslims, the Sultan of Sokoto. Nine people are reported to have survived the crash. |
| This is Nigeria's third major civilian air disaster in less than a year. | This is Nigeria's third major civilian air disaster in less than a year. |
| Three days of national mourning have been announced for the victims. | Three days of national mourning have been announced for the victims. |
| In a statement President Obasanjo said he was "deeply and profoundly shocked and saddened". He sympathised with "all Nigerians, especially family, friends and associates of those who may have been on board". | |
| 'Twisted remnants' | 'Twisted remnants' |
| A BBC reporter in Sokoto says that most shops and businesses are closed and the city's motorbike-taxi riders have parked their bikes out of respect for the deceased sultan. | |
| Nigeria's aviation minister has said the pilot ignored advice to wait for better weather before taking off. | Nigeria's aviation minister has said the pilot ignored advice to wait for better weather before taking off. |
| SULTAN OF SOKOTO Leads Nigeria's 70m MuslimsSokoto base for 19th Century jihad, spreading Islam across northern NigeriaSokoto still Nigeria's centre for Islamic learning Obituary: Sultan of Sokoto | |
| "The pilot of the unfortunate accident refused to take advantage of the weather advice and the opinion of the [control] tower to exercise patience and allow the weather to clear for a safe take off," Aviation Minister Babalola Borishade said at a news conference. | "The pilot of the unfortunate accident refused to take advantage of the weather advice and the opinion of the [control] tower to exercise patience and allow the weather to clear for a safe take off," Aviation Minister Babalola Borishade said at a news conference. |
| The ADC Airlines jet came down just after take-off, ploughing into a cornfield about two kilometres from Abuja airport. | The ADC Airlines jet came down just after take-off, ploughing into a cornfield about two kilometres from Abuja airport. |
| The BBC's Alex Last in Nigeria says the plane broke up on impact, scattering debris and passengers' belongings across an area the size of a football pitch. | The BBC's Alex Last in Nigeria says the plane broke up on impact, scattering debris and passengers' belongings across an area the size of a football pitch. |
| The body of the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammadu Maccido - the spiritual leader of the country's estimated 70 million Muslims - was buried in Sokoto within hours of the crash. | |
| Several other leading Nigerian politicians, including one of the sultan's sons, were also killed in the crash. The survivors are being treated in a hospital in Abuja. | Several other leading Nigerian politicians, including one of the sultan's sons, were also killed in the crash. The survivors are being treated in a hospital in Abuja. |
| Corruption and corner-cutting | Corruption and corner-cutting |
| After visiting the crash site, Federal Territory Minister Mallam Nasir el-Rufai told the BBC that the condition of the plane was "deplorable", with "bald tyres". | After visiting the crash site, Federal Territory Minister Mallam Nasir el-Rufai told the BBC that the condition of the plane was "deplorable", with "bald tyres". |
| Crash site eyewitness In pictures: Nigeria crash | Crash site eyewitness In pictures: Nigeria crash |
| The government had already announced a plan to overhaul the aviation industry and improve safety following last year's disasters, in which more than 200 people died. | The government had already announced a plan to overhaul the aviation industry and improve safety following last year's disasters, in which more than 200 people died. |
| Last month 10 senior army commanders were killed when their military plane crashed. | Last month 10 senior army commanders were killed when their military plane crashed. |
| Several airlines were grounded while safety checks were carried out. ADC planes were not involved in the crashes. | Several airlines were grounded while safety checks were carried out. ADC planes were not involved in the crashes. |
| President Obasanjo blamed corruption and corner-cutting for poor safety standards. | President Obasanjo blamed corruption and corner-cutting for poor safety standards. |
| Our correspondent says that air travel in Nigeria has boomed in recent years, but this crash will raise further questions as to how these safety reforms are being implemented. | Our correspondent says that air travel in Nigeria has boomed in recent years, but this crash will raise further questions as to how these safety reforms are being implemented. |