• Two more bodies recovered as Tinubu orders probe, condoles with families
The search and rescue operation at the site of Thursday’s helicopter crash at the Atlantic Ocean, near Bonny Finima, entered the second day yesterday with divers recovering two additional bodies.
Three bodies were found on Thursday soon after the crash.
Three of the passengers aboard the ill-fated helicopter remained missing at press time.
A total of eight persons, six of whom were officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) boarded the chopper from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) when it took off for the NUIM ANTAN oil rig near Bonny Finima before crashing. The two others were the crew members.
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The NNPC said yesterday it would not release information about the eight victims until it gets the go ahead from the families.
Photographs purported to be those of the victims went viral on the social media yesterday.
Eastwind Aviation Logistics Limited, onwers of the chopper, a Sikorsky S76, appealed to the public to respect the privacy of the bereaved families.
President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt condolences to the NNPC, its staff, and the bereaved families.
The Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) Alex Badeh confirmed the recovery of two more bodies to Channels Television yesterday.
He was optimistic that the remaining three bodies would be found in due course.
When asked about the likelihood of survivors, Badeh said: “Unfortunately, the current working theory is that none of those on board survived.”
Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister, Festus Keyamo, said in an update on the crash that the divers deployed to the scene were still at work to find the remaining bodies and the wreckage. “The ministry will be making a more comprehensive press statement as soon as we achieve some breakthrough,” he said.
An NNPC official told The Nation that the organisation would not make any statement on the victims for now.
He had been asked for information about the victims.
“We are not giving any details about the victims until the families give the go ahead,” he said.
Eastwind Aviation Logistics Limited, owners of the helicopter, said the identification procedures of the victims whose bodies have so far been recovered are currently underway.
The company said: “At this time, our immediate focus and priority is on the search and rescue efforts.
“We are working closely with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and we will provide updates as soon as we have more confirmed information from the ongoing search and rescue operations.
“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones affected by this unfortunate incident. We understand this is an incredibly difficult and anxious time for them.
“Our dedicated team is providing direct support to the families, and we will continue to update them as we receive confirmed information.
“We kindly ask the media and public to respect the privacy of the affected families during this challenging period and we commit to releasing further statements and updates to the general public as verified information becomes available.”