The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced that no additional bodies have been discovered at the site of Thursday’s crash involving the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In their latest update on Sunday, spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, stated that search and rescue efforts by the appropriate authorities at the scene are ongoing.
Soneye, who serves as NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, mentioned that approximately five bodies remain unaccounted for.
“The NNPC Ltd wishes to announce that beyond the three bodies found in the ill-fated helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation that crashed on Thursday in Port Harcourt, no other bodies have been recovered,” the statement read.
“The Company further notes that intensified search and rescue operations for the remaining bodies along with relevant authorities is still ongoing. Once again, our hearts and prayers are with family members of this unfortunate incident.”
Earlier, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announced that more diving equipment and resources will be dispatched to support the ongoing efforts. Up to now, five bodies have been retrieved, while three individuals are still missing.
The agency stated on Friday that search efforts were halted around 6:15 p.m. because daylight was fading. It added that, regrettably, no wreckage, survivors, or bodies were found during the day’s search.
However, the statement signed by NSIB’s spokesperson, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, indicated that divers successfully set up a secured diving perimeter at the anticipated wreck location, which will facilitate the operations scheduled for Saturday.
According to the statement, the perimeter’s depth has been recorded at 40-50 meters. The crash occurred at approximately 11:22 a.m. on Thursday near Bonny Finima, off the coast of Port Harcourt. Eight individuals (six passengers and two crew members) were aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash.