COMMEMORATING AIR CRASH VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES: AIB Says Nigeria Lost 2,038 Lives to Air Crashes in 53 Years.

Oru Leonard

The International Civil Aviation Organization has designated 20 February as the International Day for Commemorating Air Crash Victims and their Families.

In Nigeria, the Accident Investigation Bureau of Nigeria (AIB-N), joined the rest of the world in giving honour to the victims and there families in Abuja today.

The Commissioner/CEO of AIB, Akin Olateru during the event has disclosed that a total of 2,038 lives have been lost to air crashes in Nigeria from 1969 to 2022, with 1996 being on board passengers and 42 on ground.

He noted that the aftermath of an Air incident can be devastating to survivors, crash victims and their families, all of whom require support and empathy.

Olature assured that the industry regulators and relevant authorities are committed to offering significant support but even more so to preventing the recurrence of these incidents.

“I am truly sorry for your losses, and I know that no one can ever adequately compensate you. May the souls of your departed loved ones continue to rest in peace”, he sympathised.

He appreciated the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for recognising the needs of air crash victims and their families and designating February 20 as the day to commemorate with them annually, and appreciated the Air Crash Victims’ Families’ Federation International (ACVFFI), for ensuring that issues concerning air crash accidents and their victims are prioritized internationally and for working with the ICAO to ensure a day is set aside to remember those whom Nigeria has lost to air crashes.

The AIB Boss noted that in 2013, the ICAO Policy on Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims and their Families was published and accompanied by a manual to ensure that the needs of the victims and their families are addressed in a timely manner, adding also, that it is essential to have a readiness plan to support the involved victims and their families.

“Victims, survivors and their families should be treated with respect, dignity and empathy. It is vital that the government and airline operators render assistance and support to the victims and their families, and not just at the time of the accident or serious incident but afterwards too”, he stated.

While noting that the Bureau has provided family assistance in the recovery of personal effects of victims, identification of bodies, provision of information on accident Investigations, and pathological services, amongst others, as well as commemoration of air crash accident anniversaries, he urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to put in place effective policies and regulations that will mandate airline operators in the country to have Family Assistance Plans as part of their emergency plan or procedure.

He expressed determination to continue to extend the frontiers of safety in the aviation sector, as well as in the other forms of transportation, noting that the Beurea will follow global best practice in the industry, and by employing the latest technology and the most qualified personnel, to thoroughly investigate past occurrences and make the appropriate recommendations to ensure that they never occur again.