The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), on Sunday, October 27, 2024, announced that the fourth body of the victims in the ill-fated Port Harcourt helicopter crash, has been recovered.
This was contained in a statement by Bimbo Oladeji in which he said that a floating body was retrieved from the water and was escorted by the Cameroonian Navy to NUIMS Antan, to ensure safe passage through their territorial waters.
Oladeji further said; “Field operations identified the body by confirming the T-shirt worn matched the provided description. Although the process took time, photographic evidence verified the identity as that of the fourth victim”.
The aircraft with registration number 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
It crashed at 11:22 a.m. on Thursday along the waterways in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, after departing from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) en route to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.
A total of eight persons were confirmed to be on board and three bodies were initially recovered on the day of the crash.
The NSIB explained that it has been working closely with a joint search, rescue, and recovery team, alongside various support agencies, stressing that the coordinated effort is crucial in ensuring a thorough recovery process and gathering critical evidence for the investigation.
Captain Alex Badeh Jr., NSIB’s Director General, expressed gratitude for the collaborative support and appreciated the joint efforts of both national and international partners working with the Bureau in such challenging conditions.
He said; “Our thoughts are with the families affected, and we remain committed to gathering the necessary information to provide clarity and closure”.
The tragedy brings to light the vital importance of ongoing safety measures, especially in sectors critical to economic development, like aviation and petroleum.
