The Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, has confirmed the Azman aircraft incident, saying it happened at Jeddah Airport in Saudi Arabia on Thursday night and not in Kano, as reported by social media.
It reported that it was due to an alleged fire incident while taxing to take off.
The spokesman for the bureau, Tunji Oketumbi, said that though Nigerian authorities are yet to get a documented report from the Saudi Arabian authority for the full details of the incident, it is expected to be submitted within 24 hours after such occurrence, as established by both the local and international existing laws.
Oketumbi said, as soon as the bureau gets the details it will update the public on the matter.
Meanwhile, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria has said that the aircraft was not gutted by fire as reported on social media.
Azman Air management has, however, said that the aircraft’s tyre got busted during taxing.
A Twitter user whose family was part of the air passengers expected to arrive at the Kano International Airport had posted a video on his handle, showing passengers rushing out of an Azman aircraft, and thanking “Allah” in the Hausa language, for saving them from the incident.
Azman Air management is yet to respond to the air incident.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
