The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reported that no additional bodies have been found following the helicopter crash on Thursday involving a Sikorsky SK76 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, search and rescue efforts at the site continue in collaboration with relevant authorities.
“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,” said Soneye. He added, “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 Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) also provided an update, announcing plans to deploy additional diving equipment to support the search operations. On Friday, the NSIB explained that search efforts were suspended at 6:15 PM due to limited daylight, and while no debris or additional bodies were located that day, divers have since established a secured diving perimeter around the expected wreck location at a depth of 40-50 meters.
The helicopter crash, which occurred around 11:22 am on Thursday near Bonny Finima off the coast of Port Harcourt, involved eight people—six passengers and two crew members. So far, five bodies have been recovered, with three individuals still unaccounted for.
