On October 24, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited hired East Wind Aviation to operate the helicopter, which nosedived in Rivers State.
Three bodies, not five, have been found at the scene of the helicopter crash in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, according to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
The aircraft, carrying six passengers and two crew members, plunged into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, off the coast of Calabar.Reports of emergency personnel recovering five bodies have been widely circulated in the media since the crash.Bimbo Oladeji, the NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, provided an update on the incident on Sunday, stating that although two more bodies had been found, they had not been recovered.
She mentioned that tools have been put in place to search for and recover more bodies underwater.”We confirm that only three bodies were recovered on the day of the incident, contrary to reports suggesting that five bodies have been recovered,” the statement said.”Searches for the remaining individuals continued the next day, October 25, 2024, and divers found two more bodies, but they were not able to be retrieved at that time due to strong ocean currents and poor visibility.”The combined search, rescue, and recovery team continues to place the recovery of the remaining passengers as their top priority.
Oladeji claims that Captain Alex Badeh Jr., the Director General of the NSIB, spoke about the Bureau’s continued dedication to the investigation and recovery.”The NSIB is totally dedicated to finding and recovering all people and important parts from this regrettable incident, as are our partners. To handle the difficult circumstances, our team is putting in endless effort.
” she quoted Badeh as saying.”We are still dedicated to conducting a comprehensive investigation that will yield unambiguous answers for the families, loved ones, and the country.”With the help of a collaborative group of public and private organisations, the bureau is moving forward with its investigation, she continued.
“We ask the public to avoid speculating as it can impede and divert attention from the investigation and recovery activities. As soon as confirmed information is available, updates will be given regarding the status of recovery efforts and investigative results.
“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau is committed to improving transport safety in Nigeria and is unwavering in its pursuit of accountability and transparency through its independent investigation process,” the statement continued.
The Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, operated by East Wind Aviation and hired by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, nosedived in Rivers State on October 24.
The helicopter was flying from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) base in Port Harcourt to the national oil company’s floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility when the accident occurred.The aircraft, carrying six passengers and two crew members, plunged into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, off the coast of Calabar.
