The wreckage of the helicopter that crashed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has been found, according to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, or NSIB.
Bimbo Oladeji, the NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, made the disclosure on Thursday.
The organization also promised that efforts were underway to retrieve the wreckage.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, or NNPCL, hired East Wind Aviation to operate the helicopter, which crashed among the Rivers State capital’s waterways.
The FPSO-NUIMS ANTAN oil rig was the helicopter’s destination when it took off from the Military Base in the capital of Rivers State.
There were eight confirmed passengers. But thus far, just four bodies have been found.
According to NSIB:
“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announces that the allied team and partners leading the charge for the search and recovery efforts of the ditched Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, have located its wreckage.
“The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, carried eight individuals onboard and ditched in the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima on October 24, 2024,” the statement said late Thursday.
“The Wreckage was identified during last night’s recovery dives, approximately 0.775 nautical miles from the FPSO Adoon. It was located at a depth of 42 meters, with coordinates registered at Latitude 04° 13.634′ N and Longitude 008° 19.442′ E.
“Efforts are currently underway for the recovery of the helicopter’s wreckage. The tail boom of the helicopter has already been successfully retrieved and lifted from the water today.”
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cc: Daily Post Ng
