Following the Port Harcourt helicopter crash, NSIB officials have recovered a fourth victim’s body as investigations proceed. Learn more about the latest developments in this tragic incident.
On Sunday, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announced that they have recovered the fourth body from the Port Harcourt crash.
In a statement on Sunday, NSIB spokesperson Bimbo Oladeji reported that the Cameroonian Navy escorted a retrieved floating body to NUIMS Antan for secure passage through their territorial waters.
Field operations identified the body by verifying that the T-shirt matched the provided description. Despite some delay, photographic evidence eventually confirmed the identity as the fourth victim.
The aircraft, registered as 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was contracted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The helicopter crashed at 11:22 a.m. on Thursday along the waterways in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State. It had taken off from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) and was headed to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.
READ ALSO: NSIB Confirms Recovery of Two More Bodies from Port Harcourt Helicopter Crash
There were eight people confirmed on board, but three bodies were recovered immediately on the day of the tragedy.
The NSIB stated that it has been actively collaborating with a joint team for search, rescue, and recovery efforts, along with various supporting agencies.
The agency stated that these collaborative efforts are crucial for ensuring a comprehensive and efficient recovery process, as well as for collecting vital evidence to support the investigation.
Captain Alex Badeh Jr., the Director General of the NSIB, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts. He stated, “We appreciate the unified support from both national and international partners who are working with us in this difficult environment. Our thoughts continue to be with the families impacted, and we are committed to collecting vital information to offer clarity and closure.”