Lagos: Plane Plunges to the Ground Shortly after take-off; casualties reported

A plane carrying 27 people has crashed shortly after take-off from Lagos airport in Nigeria, officials say. Authorities say at least 11 people are feared dead. The Associated Airlines plane was bound for Akure, which lies about 140 miles (225km) north-east of Lagos. The plane's engine appeared to fail and the aircraft plunged to the ground and burst into flames, officials said.

Reports indicate that the aircraft was conveying the body of late Dr. Olusegun Agagu, former Governor of Ondo state, with several members of his family when it crashed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The politician died suddenly at his home in Lagos on 13 September. He was due to be laid to rest on 4 October at St Paul's Anglican Church in the district of Iju-Odo.

On board the ill-fated aircraft were also Agagu’s only son, Feyi, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Deji Falae and a staff in the Protocol Department of the Governor’s office, Mr Layi Daji.
Also on board were Mr Tunji Okusanja Jr and his father, Tunji Okusanja. However, while Okusanja senior is said to have sustained injuries and unconscious, his son is believed to have been among those that died. The Okusanja family owns the MIC Caskets, popular funeral undertakers in Lagos Island.
An employee of MIC Caskets, identified as Chijioke, was also among those that died in the crash

The Nigeria National Emergency Management Agency said that the aircraft crashed after taking off from Lagos. It had been bound for the city of Akure, about 170 miles away. At least 11 people were confirmed dead and at least one passenger survived the crash, the agency said. "The plane couldn't lift properly so it just came down," says an eyewitness.

Agency reports