Rescue Efforts Struggled After Plane Crash in Ondo State

The ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje LGA of Ondo State on Tuesday. Residents were worried about the slow and unprofessional response from rescue teams.

Rescue teams arrived at the crash site around 2 p.m. They joined local residents who used canoes and machetes to cut through the bush to reach the crash site.

The Ondo State Government ordered logistics to assist at the crash site. But the state's amphibious excavator did not reach Igbokoda until 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

The tough terrain made it hard for the excavator to operate in the water. As of 2 p.m. on Tuesday, the excavator that could have sped up the rescue was still on land.

Since the excavator could not move, rescuers included NEMA officials, firemen, police, soldiers, and locals. They manually paddled their boats through the narrow grassy waterway to start the rescue.

Many residents gathered to show support or to see what was happening. They were unsure if the boats could reach the crash site because of the challenging conditions.

Ondo State Maritime Commander R. Gajere said he was the first to find the crash site. He accessed it by canoe.

Mr Gajere spoke with journalists in Igbokoda after police leadership visited the crash site. He said he and his team managed to recover some body parts and pieces of the plane.

He called for cooperation among the agencies involved to ensure quick and complete evacuation.