Two more bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter that crashed near Bonny- Finima river in Rivers State, leaving three still unaccounted for.
Initial reports said three had been recovered.
The Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Alex Badeh confirmed this while speaking on Channels TV programme, on Friday,
“We have recovered two more bodies, making it a total of five. Hopefully, the remaining three will be recovered today”, he disclosed.
The director explained that an investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
When asked about the chances that none of those on board the aircraft survived the crash, he said there is a “chance” that some persons onboard the aircraft might be alive.
“Human beings are resilient. As long as they have their life support devices, there is a chance we might find survivors there,” Badeh said.
On the cause of the incident, Badeh said “there was light and moderate rain on their arrival and there was an overcast. We would look into that. That might have a chance or a role to play”.
“Other than that, I can’t really say until we recover the flight recorder and speak to more witnesses there,” he added.
The helicopter, with registration 5N-BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation, crashed one kilometre away from its destination.
It was engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
It crashed around 11:22 am along the waterways in the Rivers State capital after taking off from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.
