The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says three bodies and not five have been recovered from the scene of the helicopter crash in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The aircraft, carrying six passengers and two crew members, plunged into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, off the coast of Calabar.
Following the crash, the media has been awash with reports that five bodies have been recovered by emergency officials.
Giving an update on the incident on Sunday, NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, said though two additional bodies were located, they were however not retrieved.
She noted that equipment have been deployed to conduct an underwater search and recovery of more bodies.
“Contrary to reports suggesting that five bodies have been recovered, we confirm that only three bodies were retrieved on the day of the incident,” the statement read.
“Efforts to locate the remaining individuals continued the following day – October 25, 2024, and two additional bodies were located by divers, but due to strong ocean currents and limited visibility, these bodies could not be retrieved at that time.
“The recovery of the remaining persons onboard remains a top priority for the amalgamated search, rescue and recovery team.”
According to Oladeji, NSIB Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. addressed the ongoing commitment of the Bureau to the recovery and investigation.
“The NSIB, alongside our partners, is fully committed to locating and recovering all individuals and critical components from this unfortunate accident. Our team is working tirelessly to manage the challenging conditions,” she quoted Badeh as saying.
“We remain committed to a thorough investigation that will provide clear answers for the families, loved ones, and the nation.”
She added that the bureau is making progress in its investigation with support from a joint team of government agencies and private partners.
“We urge the public to refrain from speculation, which can hinder and distract from the investigation and recovery efforts. Updates on the progress of recovery operations and investigative findings will be provided as soon as verified information becomes available.
“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau remains steadfast in promoting transparency and accountability through its independent investigation process, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing transportation safety in Nigeria,” the statement added.
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.
