A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft carrying 32 people crashed in southern Nigeria, with locals reporting they found body parts and shoes at the scene.
The plane was on a routine mission to Lagos when it went down in the riverside town of Igbokoda in Ondo state, according to Nigeria's Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo. The aircraft had 25 passengers and seven crew members on board.
Search and rescue underway
"Search and rescue operations, in coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response agencies, are currently ongoing," said air force spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame.
Local residents said the aircraft crashed near a river and that part of it was sinking in the water. "We heard something like a thunder strike," said Akinbulejo Pius. "The plane cleared some trees. We found some body parts, some clothes and shoes."
Radar loss and crash site
Keyamo said the aircraft first disappeared from radar at around 9 a.m. local time, and that it was found to have crashed close to a naval base.
The extent of the damage to the aircraft was not immediately clear.
