The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has confirmed that no other additional bodies have been found so far in the ill-fated helicopter that crashed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday.
This was apart from the three bodies recovered. The national oil company however stated that the intensify search and rescue operations is still ongoing, along with other relevant authorities.
NNPCL stated this in a short press release, on Sunday, by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye.
“The NNPCL 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 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,” NNPCL stated in the release.
Recalled that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development had, last Thursday, confirmed the crash of the helicopter with Registration Number 5NBQG at Port Harcourt.
The ministry, in a statement by its spokesperson, Odutayo Oluseyi, stated that the helicopter was on a routine flight from Port Harcourt military base to an oil rig when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.
It also confirmed that three bodies have been recovered so far from the crashed helicopter, while search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate the remaining five passengers.
It also stated that no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received, but manual efforts to plot the location of the accident were underway.
The NNPCL, also confirmed, same day, the crash of the ill-fated helicopter, adding that it engaged the services of the helicopter.
“On the 24th of October 2024, about 11:22am, we lost contact with the Helicopter – Register Number: 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the FPSO NUIMS ANTAN.
“The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation.
“There were eight persons on board (six passengers and two crew members),” NNPCL had stated in a release, last Thursday.
