ABUJA SITREP #3: CRASH OF BELLVIEW FLIGHT 3210, TIME 16:30 LOCAL

UNCLAS ABUJA 002032 SIPDIS TRANSPORTATION FOR FAA, STATE FOR AF, CA, DS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC EAIR ASEC AEMR AMGT NI BELLVIEW SUBJECT: ABUJA SITREP #3: CRASH OF BELLVIEW FLIGHT 3210, TIME 16:30 LOCAL REF: A. ABUJA 2031 ¶B. ABUJA 2030 ¶C. ABUJA 2029 ¶D. LAGOS 1645 Classified by DCM Thomas Furey for reason 1.4 (d). ¶1. (C) Abuja EAC reconvened at 15:00 October 23, 2005, chaired by the Ambassador. Our latest information, confirmed by eyewitnesses, indicates that the crash site is near the village of Lissa, in Ifo local government area, Ogun State (Geocoordinates approximately 06 48 02 N, 003 18 21 E). This is much closer to Lagos than earlier reports had indicated, and is near President Obasanjo's private farm in Otta. The first response team from Congen Lagos arrived at the crash site around 15:30, and reported seeing significant wreckage, debris scattered over a wide area, and a large crater. They reportedly saw no sign of survivors. ¶2. (C) In light of the new information from the Lagos team, EAC decided that the Abuja response team will turn around and return to Abuja tonight, with a police escort. ¶3. (C) Ambassador conferred with the EAC about activating the cascade network to pass a message about the crash to Embassy personnel. It was decided that PAS and Consular representatives will jointly draft a short written message, which all section/agency heads will pass to their employees (local and American) this evening. Text of that message will be shared with Congen Lagos. ¶4. (C) Embassy does not plan to hold another EAC meeting today, October 23, unless events warrant such a meeting. A/S Frazer has departed Lagos and is expected to arrive Abuja around 17:00 local time. CAMPBELL