The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, said the company and other relevant agencies are continuing the search for the remaining victims of Thursday’s helicopter crash in Rivers State.
It would be recalled that the Sikorski helicopter belonging to Eastwing Aviation Services Limited crashed shortly after leaving its base in Port Harcourt for an offshore location.
The chopper had eight passengers onboard, comprising six staff of the NNPC and two crew members. The remains of three victims were retrieved shortly after the incident, but the others are yet unaccounted for.
NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communication Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said in a statement on Sunday morning, “Helicopter Crash: Search Still Ongoing, No Other Additional Bodies Found.”
“The NNPC Ltd. 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 the family members of this unfortunate incident.”
Niger Daily News learnt that the company and the Ministry of Aviation engaged professional divers, search and rescue teams both in Nigeria and neighbouring countries to help in the search for the other victims of the crash.
