The Peoples Democratic Party has condoled with the Nigerian Air Force and families of victims following the crash of an Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda community of Ondo.

In a statement on Monday, Ini Ememobong, the spokesman for the party, said the aircraft crashed near a naval base in the state.

“Sadly, the authorities have reported no survivors among the 32 persons on board,” he said.

The national chairman of the party, Tanimu Turaki, commiserated with the bereaved country and bereaved families, describing the death as painful.

He said, “Our service personnel have given so much for the unity and survival of this country, and news of their deaths is deeply painful.”

He extended his condolences on behalf of the PDP family to the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the fallen, stating, “We pray that such tragedies do not recur.”

Mr Ememobong said the party urged a thorough and transparent investigation into the cause of the crash and prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed.

People’s Gazette had reported the crash with aviation minister Festus Keyamo, saying the 32 people aboard died.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa earlier stated that nobody had been rescued from the crashed helicopter.