Rivers helicopter crash: Two more bodies recovered, three still missing

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has announced the recovery of two additional bodies from the site of the recent Sikorsky S-76 helicopter crash in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

This brings the total number of recovered bodies to five.

However, three people aboard the helicopter remain unaccounted for.

The Sikorsky S-76 helicopter, registered as 5N-BQG and operated by Eastwind Aviation, went down roughly one kilometre from its intended destination.

The helicopter was reportedly on a mission for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, NSIB Director General Alex Badeh shared the update, expressing hope for further recoveries.

“We have now recovered five bodies, with three more yet to be found. We are optimistic that these will be located today,” Badeh said.

Responding to questions about potential survivors, Badeh acknowledged that survival appears unlikely.

“Unfortunately, the current working theory is that there may be no survivors in this instance,” he explained.

Badeh noted that investigation teams are en-route to the crash site, adding that the process to retrieve the aircraft wreckage could take several days.

The primary focus, he affirmed, is locating any remaining bodies at the scene.

Despite the bleak outlook, Badeh remarked on the resilience of human beings, suggesting there is still a slim chance that survivors could be found, especially if they have access to life-support devices.