THE NIGERIAN National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced that beyond the three bodies found on the first day of the ill-fated helicopter crash last Thursday, no additional bodies of victims have been found.
In a press release signed by Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, on Sunday morning, the NNPCL noted that search and rescue operations for the remaining bodies is still ongoing.
The press release reads:
“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 family members of this unfortunate incident.”
The NNPC last Thursday announced that the helicopter crashed into the Atlantic Ocean in Port-Harcourt, adding later that three bodies were recovered by rescue operations.
Mr Olufemi Soneye, who broke the news, also said the helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation, took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN with eight persons on board (six passengers and two crew members), although he did not give names of the victims.
According to the NNPCL spokesperson, the helicopter was engaged to transport personnel to its Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) facility, NUIMS ANTAN, when it tragically lost contact.
“The helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 operated by East Wind Aviation, was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base to the NUIMANTAN oil rig when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima.
“The flight had eight people on board — six passengers and two crew members — when contact was lost at 11:22 am,” Soneye said, adding that teams from the Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) were actively participating in the rescue efforts.
PENGASSAN members involved
Meanwhile, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) also in a statement Friday expressed shock over the tragic helicopter crash revealing that four of its members were among the victims.
Osifo did not reveal the names of the affected members.
The President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Festus Osifo, said last Friday in Abuja, when he expressed the union’s condolences to the families of those affected.
According to Comrade Osifo, the deceased members, were valued members of the PENGASSAN family and dedicated professionals in the oil and gas industry.
“Their contributions to the sector and to our association will be sorely missed. PENGASSAN extends its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the victims during this difficult time.
“We share in their grief and offer our unwavering support, as we navigate this tragic event. We are committed to providing assistance to the bereaved families in any way possible,” Osifo stated, adding that PENGASSAN is working to gather more information about the circumstances surrounding the crash and cooperating fully with the relevant authorities in their investigation.
Osifo urged all parties involved to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the cause of the accident and put in place urgent measures to prevent future tragedies.
“PENGASSAN calls on all its members everywhere, through the branches, to observe a moment of silence and reflection in honour of our fallen Comrades. Their dedication and service to the Oil and Gas industry will never be forgotten.
“We will continue to update the public as more information becomes available,” he said.
