The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has announced the discovery of the wreckage of a helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean last Thursday while transporting workers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Limited from Port Harcourt. According to a statement by NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registered as 5N BQG, was located approximately 0.775 nautical miles from the FPSO Adoon at a depth of 42 meters.
The helicopter crash resulted in a devastating loss, with five bodies recovered from the ocean and three other passengers still unaccounted for. The ongoing search and recovery operation is led by a coalition of agencies committed to providing closure for the families of the victims. The NSIB is preparing to retrieve the wreckage to aid further investigation into the incident.
NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh, commended the search team for their dedication, stating, “Locating the wreckage is a critical milestone in our efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident.” He assured the public of a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident and bring clarity to those affected.
