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Nigeria opens air crash inquiry Nigerian crash airline grounded
(20 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 has suspended the licence of the airline involved in Sunday's crash, 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. ADC's Boeing 737 passenger jet came down almost immediately after take-off from the capital, Abuja, 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. ADC are one of Nigeria's most popular private airlines. Three days of national mourning have been announced for the victims.
This is one crash too many Ishaq Akintola Muslim Rights ConcernThis is one crash too many Ishaq Akintola Muslim Rights Concern
In a statement President Obasanjo said he was "deeply and profoundly shocked and saddened". President Olusegun Obasanjo said he was "deeply and profoundly shocked and saddened" and immediately ordered an inquiry.
He sympathised with "all Nigerians, especially family, friends and associates of those who may have been on board".He sympathised with "all Nigerians, especially family, friends and associates of those who may have been on board".
'Twisted remnants''Twisted remnants'
Most shops and businesses are closed in Sokoto and the city's motorbike-taxi riders have parked their bikes out of respect for the deceased sultan.Most shops and businesses are closed in Sokoto and the city's motorbike-taxi riders have parked their bikes out of respect for the deceased sultan.
The BBC's Alex Last in Nigeria says there is a lot of anger over the latest crash, as well as grief.The BBC's Alex Last in Nigeria says there is a lot of anger over the latest crash, as well as grief.
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 "Nigeria's aviation industry needs urgent overhaul. This is one crash too many," said Ishaq Akintola, director of civil society group Muslim Rights Concern.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 "Nigeria's aviation industry needs urgent overhaul. This is one crash too many," said Ishaq Akintola, director of civil society group Muslim Rights Concern.
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.
"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 jet came down just after take-off, ploughing into a cornfield about two kilometres from Abuja airport.
Our correspondent says the plane broke up on impact, scattering debris and passengers' belongings across an area the size of a football pitch.Our correspondent 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.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-cuttingCorruption 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 crashCrash 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.