SITREP #7: CRASH OF BELLVIEW FLIGHT B3210; OCTOBER

UNCLAS LAGOS 001660 SIPDIS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - HANDLE ACCORDINGLY TRANSPORTATION FOR FAA DAKAR PLS PASS TO FAA REP ED JONES ROME PLS PASS TO TSA REP JOHN HALINSKI FOR DS/IP/AF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC EAIR NI ASEC PREL SUBJECT: SITREP #7: CRASH OF BELLVIEW FLIGHT B3210; OCTOBER 25, 12:30 AM (LOCAL) REF: LAGOS 1656 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (SBU) The consular response team (CRT) yesterday liaised with Nigerian authorities to review identification documents found at the crash site. They found no/no information indicating additional AMCITs were on board, other than the one known AMCIT and two LPRs whose names match the manifest. The team deployed to the crash site today to continue monitoring the effort. ¶2. (SBU) The team reported better security at the site yesterday due to the presence of numerous senior-ranking GON officials. However, the site is not/not being treated as a "controlled accident scene." Press, family members, and curious on-lookers all have access to the site. The integrity of much of the site seems to have been compromised. The crater formed by the crashed plane, however, appears to not have been compromised. ¶3. (SBU) The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is prepared to work with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) team scheduled to arrive tomorrow, October 26. The Aviation Minister and NCAA Director General have canceled their October 28 trip to Washington. ¶4. (SBU) Overzealous officials at the Nigerian Broadcast Commission (NBC) temporarily closed the Africa Independent Television (AIT) and affiliated Red Power Radio Station which accurately reported the location of the crash site and the fact that there were no survivors. Both were allowed to re-open on Monday after a closure of approximately 12 hours. Nigeria's Information Minister Frank Nweke publicly criticized the NBC action, stating that he quickly ordered NBC to allow AIT/Ray Power back on the air after he learned of the closure. Our Public Affairs Section continues to monitor the Nigerian media. BROWNE