Army generals killed in air crash

From correspondents in Lagos, Nigeria
September 18, 2006
SEVERAL army generals were killed in an air force plane that crashed into a hill in central Nigeria, a senior military officer said today.

"I can confirm to you that several army officers, including generals, lost their lives in the ill-fated plane," the army officer who asked not to be named, said.

"We have to contact their families before we can make their identities public. An official statement on the tragedy will be issued later."

The officer said there were survivors from the Dornier 228-221 belonging to the air force that crashed into the hills of Ushongo village in central Benue State yesterday morning.

"Rescue operations are still going on," he said.

Some 18 military officers were travelling for a retreat at Obudu Cattle Ranch in southern Cross Rivers State when the plane crashed, apparently due to bad weather, aviation officials said.

Local media reported that 14 officers were feared killed in the crash, including eight generals and six other senior officers.

A spokesman for the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency said rescue helicopters were immediately dispatched to the scene of the crash.

Yesterday's crash was the worst involving the military since 1992 when an airforce aircraft plunged into the creeks in Ejigbo a few minutes after take-off from Lagos airport, killing all 192 officers and crew on board.

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