Update On Associated Airlines Crash: Names Of Passengers, Crew Members And Survivors Released

The identities of the victims on board chartered flight, 5N-BJY operated by Associated Airlines, which crashed earlier today, minutes after take off from the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, have been released by aviation authorities.

Aviation authorities said that 13 people were confirmed dead in the crash involving the airplane that was to convey the body of former governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Agagu, and sympathizers, from Lagos to Akure, the Ondo state capital, for funeral rites.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation, Joe Obi, said 20 people – 13 passengers and seven crew members – were on board the aircraft when the accident occurred, and said 13 people were confirmed dead, six injured (including Agagu's son and son in-law), and one person unaccounted for.

The black box of the plane has also been recovered.

The casket, bearing the corpse of  Dr. Olusegun Agagu (pictured above), has been recovered by rescue agencies at the crash site. And the casket was intact as of the time of recovery. 

Almost all parts of the aircraft was burnt except the back where the casket was kept.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was depressed immediately he received the rumoured news that his son, Gbenga, was  among the victims who died when the plane.

Obasanjo was seen shivering and shaking shortly after he received the rumoured  news, but comported himself and gently left the venue.

During the conversation with one of his callers, Obasanjo loudly said; “which Gbenga? But, he is in Abuja”

Holding  the hands of  his friend, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, they went straight into a room within the Library complex where they spent almost one hour.

Vanguard learnt that Obasanjo was relieved after speaking with Gbenga.

Passengers

1. Feyi Agagu
2. Femi Akinsanya
3. Akintunde Joseph
4. Akeem Akintunde
5. Tunji Okusanya
6. Chijioke Duru
7. Kingsley Amaechi
8. Deji Afolabi
9. Mrs. A.O. Alabi
10. Daji Bernard
11. Deji Falae
12. Samson Hassan
13. Olatunji Okusanya 

Crew members

• Capt. Yakubu

• Flight officer Oyinlola

• Engr. Soroh Ebiya

• Flight dispatcher Ibrahim

• Mr. Felix Latoya

• Cabin attendant Owolabi

• Cabin  attendant Samson.

The survivors 

1. Agagu Feyi

2. Akintunde Taiwo

3. Akintunde Akeem

4. Akinsanya Femi

5. Unknown male 

The crash brought to a tragic halt, a series of week-long obsequies that was to peak with Mr. Agagu’s burial on Friday in Ondo state which he governed between May 2003 and February 2009, before a court removed him from office.

Early Thursday, officials of the state government, led by Governor Olusegun Mimiko, had gathered at the Akure airport end waiting to receive his body and guests.

After news of the accident filtered in, members of the entourage and family members relocated to the Ondo state Government House, apparently distressed, over an accident that has shocked the nation.