The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed the recovery of five bodies in the aftermath of a helicopter crash that occurred last Thursday. The Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, which was carrying oil workers, went down after departing from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In a statement on Wednesday, NSIB spokesperson Bimbo Oladeji detailed ongoing recovery efforts, noting that two vessels equipped with side-scan sonar have been mobilized to expand the search area. An additional four side-scan sonar units are expected to arrive from Port Harcourt for deployment the following morning to enhance search operations.
“To date, a total of five bodies have been recovered, although the fifth body, retrieved today, requires specialized handling due to its decomposed state before it can be transported to the morgue,” Oladeji said.
The helicopter is believed to have crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, but its wreckage has yet to be located.
The NSIB’s recovery operations have been thorough, with key updates highlighting significant progress:
09:35 AM: The HD Steadfast vessel identified a body in the water, initiating recovery actions.
10:40 AM: A drone was deployed for aerial surveillance to locate additional bodies or debris.
10:45 AM: Recovery operations faced challenges due to adverse sea conditions, but coordination with HD Steadfast enabled the safe retrieval of the body.
12:49 PM: The Nigerian Navy was engaged for logistical support for body evacuation.
8:00 PM: Divers discovered fragments of fiberglass and aluminum, likely from the helicopter, prompting adjustments to the search grid.
Divers remain active on the seabed, conducting searches based on calculated estimates of the crash site. Despite recent efforts, no signals from the locator beacon have been detected at the new search location. The focus has shifted closer to the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit, where previous beacon signals were received.
Director General of NSIB Captain Alex Badeh Jr, praised the collaborative efforts of all involved, acknowledging the unique challenges posed by the environmental conditions. “Our primary objective remains to uncover the circumstances surrounding this accident, and we extend our condolences to the families affected by this tragedy,” he stated.
The NSIB continues to work closely with national and international partners to ensure a thorough and respectful recovery process, aligning with its mandate to promote transportation safety in Nigeria.
