Search and recovery teams in Nigeria are struggling to reach the wreckage of a military aircraft that crashed in Ondo State, killing all 25 people on board.
The aircraft went down on Monday in a swampy and difficult-to-access area. The victims included civilians.
Africanews, citing AFP and other agencies, reported that recovery efforts were continuing as teams worked through mangroves and murky water.
Wreckage reportedly submerged
Local media reported that the wreckage is submerged, making the operation particularly difficult.
Divers are working at the site. However, the aircraft’s black boxes have not yet been recovered. These could provide investigators with important information about what caused the crash.
It also remains unclear whether any bodies have been recovered.
Local residents have joined efforts around the crash site. Omotayo Orimisan, who has been helping with the operation, said villagers saw the aircraft go down.
He said the plane flew across the area before its tail appeared to break off with a loud noise. According to his account, the aircraft touched the water, rose again and then plunged into a forested area across the creek.
Villagers then used boats to reach the area and try to help those on board.
Rescue teams continue search
Another local resident, Felisia Michel, said rescue teams had been working continuously to reach the aircraft and recover those inside.
The difficult terrain remains one of the main obstacles facing the operation.
Nigeria initially reported that 32 people were aboard the aircraft. Authorities later revised the death toll to 25, with all those aboard confirmed dead.
Tinubu declares national mourning
President Bola Tinubu declared three days of national mourning on Monday following the crash.
The disaster is among Nigeria’s deadliest aviation accidents in recent years.
Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the crash once investigators can recover the aircraft’s flight recorders and other evidence from the site.