The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has considerably lowered the water level at the site of its crashed ATR 42-500 aircraft, NAF 931, in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as recovery operations entered their 14th day on Monday.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that the aircraft crashed right into a swamp in the neighborhood on 5 October whereas on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos, killing all 25 individuals on board, comprising 5 crew members and 20 passengers. The NAF confirmed that no survivors have been discovered.
In a press release from its spokesperson, Ehimen Ejodame, the NAF mentioned steady pumping had considerably lowered the water level, and personnel have been working to take away a lot of the remaining water, topic to prevailing situations.
The company mentioned employees have been additionally reinforcing the embankment with sandbags to stop collapse and preserve stability as the dewatering operation continued.
It described the recovery mission as a posh operation requiring sustained engineering and dewatering efforts beneath difficult situations.
The recovery efforts come amid rising issues amongst residents concerning the potential environmental and public well being penalties of the crash.
Residents have complained a couple of persistent offensive odour emanating from the crash site, whereas the normal ruler of Igbokoda, Afolabi Odidiomo, has raised issues about unrecovered human stays and attainable contamination of the neighborhood’s water sources.
The monarch beforehand warned that the swamp was linked to a river system supplying water to the neighborhood, together with the water therapy facility at Aboto, about seven kilometres from Igbokoda. Residents have additionally expressed fears about attainable air pollution from aviation gasoline.
In response to the issues, the Ondo State Government directed the ministries of atmosphere and well being to undertake interventions, together with fumigation, and ordered preparations for the distribution of potable water ought to the affected river be discovered unsuitable to be used. It additionally directed the availability of nostril masks and different well being kits to residents.
The NAF had earlier acknowledged the neighborhood’s issues and promised to interact related environmental and public well being authorities after the recovery operation to evaluate the scenario and coordinate applicable motion.
READ ALSO: NAF sets up 12-member board to investigate Ondo aircraft crash
According to the assertion, the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, recommended the recovery workforce for its resilience and professionalism and reaffirmed the Air Force’s dedication to finishing the operation safely and methodically.
The NAF additionally mentioned the recovery efforts have been being carried out in assist of the continued aircraft accident investigation.
It expressed appreciation to recovery personnel, companion companies and Hitech Construction Company for his or her contributions to the operation.
It additionally prolonged its condolences to the households of these affected by the incident, acknowledging their ache and anguish.
The company thanked the Igbokoda neighborhood and different stakeholders for his or her persistence and cooperation, promising to offer well timed and verified updates as recovery operations progress.
Discover extra from Premium Times Nigeria
Subscribe to get the newest posts despatched to your electronic mail.
