The Nigerian Government, through the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), has confirmed the recovery of a fifth body from the October 24 helicopter crash in the Atlantic Ocean near Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The body was retrieved on Wednesday night in an ongoing, challenging operation following the crash of a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registered as 5N BQG and operated by Eastwind Aviation.
In a statement signed by NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, the bureau detailed that the recovered body required specialized handling due to its decomposed condition before being transferred to the morgue.
The recovery mission, led by NSIB Director-General Capt. Alex Badeh, has seen close collaboration with national and international partners, including significant assistance from the Nigerian Navy.
“The recovery operation presents unique challenges due to the environmental conditions, but our team and partners are dedicated to bringing this mission to completion with utmost professionalism and care,” Capt. Badeh said, adding that the bureau’s goal is to uncover the cause of the accident and provide answers to affected families.
The crash, which occurred off the coast of Bonny Finima, involved eight people on board. The NSIB outlined a timeline of the complex recovery efforts, which began with the identification of a body in the water at 9:35 a.m.
The operation included the use of a Fast Rescue Craft (FRC), a drone deployed by HD Steadfast for aerial search, and a crane to assist with retrieval in difficult sea conditions.
Later in the day, the NSIB contacted the Nigerian Navy to assist in transporting the body to land, while Eastwind Aviation provided crew photographs to aid identification.
Additional discoveries, including fiberglass and aluminum fragments believed to be from the helicopter, have led the NSIB to adjust its search parameters as it intensifies the mission in the vicinity of the accident.
The NSIB reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining transportation safety in Nigeria as investigations continue, stating, “Our primary objective remains to uncover information that will fully explain the circumstances of this accident, and our thoughts continue to be with the families affected.”
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