The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announced on Sunday that the fourth body of the Port Harcourt crash victim has been recovered.
In a statement on Sunday, NSIB spokesperson Bimbo Oladeji said, “A floating body was retrieved from the water and was escorted by the Cameroonian Navy to NUIMS Antan, to ensure safe passage through their territorial waters.
“Field operations identified the body by confirming the T-shirt worn matched the provided description. Although the process took time, photographic evidence verified the identity as that of the fourth victim.”
The aircraft, registered as 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). It crashed at 11:22 a.m. on Thursday along the waterways in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, after departing from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) en route to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.
A total of eight individuals were confirmed on board, with three bodies initially recovered on the day of the crash.
The NSIB stated it has been working closely with a joint search, rescue, and recovery team, alongside various support agencies. This coordinated effort is crucial in ensuring a thorough recovery process and gathering critical evidence for the investigation.
Captain Alex Badeh Jr., NSIB’s Director General, expressed gratitude for the collaborative support, saying, “We appreciate the joint efforts of our national and international partners working with us in such challenging conditions. Our thoughts are with the families affected, and we remain committed to gathering the necessary information to provide clarity and closure.”
This tragedy brings to light the vital importance of ongoing safety measures, especially in sectors critical to economic development, like aviation and petroleum.