In the grim aftermath of the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter crash in Port Harcourt, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has reported the recovery of two additional bodies from the scene. This brings the total number of bodies recovered to five, while three individuals remain unaccounted for.
NSIB Director General Alex Badeh shared updates on the situation, acknowledging the difficulty and time-consuming nature of the recovery efforts, saying, “It will take days to fully retrieve the wreckage.” Despite the odds, Badeh held out a slim hope that survivors could still be found. “Human beings are resilient. If they managed to use life support devices, there’s a chance we may find survivors,” he added.
The helicopter, registered as 5N-BQG and operated by Eastwind Aviation, crashed just one kilometer shy of its destination, the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig, after departing from the Port Harcourt Military Base. The crash occurred at 11:22 a.m. on Thursday, during moderate rainfall and overcast weather, conditions which Badeh indicated could be a factor in the crash. “We need to look into the weather, but until we recover the flight recorder and speak to more witnesses, we can’t be certain,” he noted.
Authorities, including the Rivers State Marine Police and NSIB investigators, are actively working together to recover the wreckage and bodies from the crash site. The Rivers State Police confirmed that all eight persons on board—six passengers and two crew members—are feared dead.
In response to the tragic event, President Bola Tinubu ordered the authorities to intensify rescue efforts, extending condolences to the families of the victims and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which had engaged the ill-fated flight.
Badeh confirmed the somber likelihood that none of the passengers survived, describing it as the “working theory.” Meanwhile, authorities continue to monitor the recovery efforts, promising to keep the public updated as the investigation into the crash unfolds.
