The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has announced the recovery of one body from the helicopter crash that occured in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, last Thursday.
The NSIB made the announcement on Sunday evening, bringing to four the total number of bodies recovered so far, out of eight persons (six passengers and two crew members) on board the ill-fated helicopter.
NSIB Director (Public Affairs and Family Assistance), Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, stated this in a release to give an update on the efforts of the Bureau to recover the bodies and also investigate the incident.
According to the NSIB, a floating body was retrieved from the water at 4:00pm on Sunday by a Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) which was re-launched at 2:50pm to facilitate the recovery operations.
The Bureau added that the body was escorted by the Cameroonian Navy to NUIMS Antan for safe transit through their territorial waters.
The body was confirmed as the fourth victim of the helicopter crash by virtue of a T-shirt which was said to have matched the description provided by photographic evidence.
“Field operations identified the body by confirming the T-shirt worn matched the description provided. Although it took time, photographic evidence confirmed the identity as the fourth victim,” it was stated.
NSIB stated that it has continued its coordinated effort in the recovery operation and investigation into the ditching incident involving a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, Registration 5N BQG, operated by East Winds Aviation.
The incident, which occurred last Thursday, involved eight persons onboard and took place off the coast of Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.
NSIB stated in the release the minute-by-minute account of its efforts in the recovery operation as follows:
“10:30am: Search, Rescue, and Recovery vessels MV VOSINE, Ebok HD Steadfast, MV Pioneer, and Jacksparrow departed Ebok for the Antan Field.
“1:40am: MV Albacore 5 was prepared to transport additional diving equipment for human divers, along with personnel to support recovery operations.
“The vessel departed at 4:45pm for the incident scene.
“1:58pm: NSIB confirmed that two additional specialists would be deployed to the NUIM Antan incident site on October 28, 2024, to supervise and support the helicopter recovery effort.
“2:50pm: The Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) was re-launched to facilitate recovery operations.
“4:00pm: A floating body was retrieved from the water by the FRC and was escorted by the Cameroonian Navy to NUIMS Antan, for safe transit through their territorial waters.
“4:00pm: The HD Steadfast, HD Pioneer, and an additional vessel arrived at the Antan location. The superintendent convened with the crew to discuss the area survey and diving operations began afterwards.
“6:44pm: Field operations identified the body by confirming the T-shirt worn matched the description provided. Although it took time, photographic evidence confirmed the identity as the fourth victim.
6:50pm: East Winds Aviation was contacted to arrange an air ambulance for transporting the body tomorrow [Monday] morning, with East Winds wind actively coordinating this effort.
7:05pm: Antan Security informed the Port Harcourt Marine Police to prepare for receiving the body from the air ambulance.”
The NSIB stated that it is actively collaborating with a joint search, rescue and recovery team, as well as various supporting agencies.
“These combined efforts are essential for ensuring a thorough and efficient recovery process and for gathering critical evidence to aid the investigation,” it was added in the release.
NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., expressed appreciation for the joint support: “We are grateful for the coordinated support of national and international partners working alongside us in this challenging environment.
“Our thoughts remain with the families of those affected, and we are dedicated to gathering the essential information to provide clarity and closure.”
The Bureau also restated its commitment to “upholding transparency and accountability in its investigations and working to advance transportation safety across Nigeria.”
