Plane crash: Jonathan declares 3 days of mourning

[DT]

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday declared three days of national mourning for those who lost their lives in a Dana plane crash in Lagos, according to a statement from Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

The Dana Air flight from Abuja to Lagos crashed a few kilometers to the airport with 147 people on board, according to an airline official.

The statement by the presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, said Jonathan had cancelled all his public engagements scheduled for tomorrow and had also directed that the Nigerian flag be flown at half-mast for the three days of national mourning.

The President has also ordered the ``fullest possible investigation'' into the crash.

The statement said that in compliance with the President's directive, the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, had already left Abuja for Lagos to oversee the crash investigations and present an interim report to the Federal Government as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, spokesman for the airline, Mr Tony Usidamen, said that 147 people were on board the plane, 139 of them passengers. (NAN)

Daily Trust