The crash of a commercial airliner moments after take-off in Abuja left seven survivors and 98 people dead, including the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s Muslims, Nigerian newspapers reported on Monday.
Flight 053 from Abuja to Sokoto on ADC airlines was carrying 100 passengers and five crew members on a Boeing 737 when it went down on Sunday in bad weather.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammadu Maccido, who presided over Nigeria’s Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, was among those killed, Sokoto State spokesperson Mustapha Sheu said.
Nigeria’s aviation minister held a press conference early on Monday, announcing that authorities had declared three days of national mourning. – Sapa-AFP