By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
RECOVERY EFFORTS have been reportedly intensified following the crash of a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation-chartered helicopter in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The Sikorsky SK76, carrying eight people, went down shortly after take-off from the Military Base (DNPM), bound for an oil rig.
Information says concerns have risen as recovery teams face grim prospects in the current search for survivors of the crashed helicopter.
The Sikorsky SK76, operated by East Wind Aviation, had nosedived on Thursday with eight individuals on board, shortly after departing the Military Base (DNPM) en route to the FPSO NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.
While rescue crews almost immediately recovered three bodies, two more have been discovered today, Friday, leaving three still unaccounted for.
Director General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Mr. Alex Badeh, reported this update on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, expressing cautious optimism that some of those onboard might yet be found.
“Human endurance is powerful; as long as life support devices are intact, there’s still a chance,” Badeh stated.
The crash’s cause remains undetermined, though Badeh acknowledged the impact of poor weather conditions, including light rain and overcast skies at the time.
Recovery of the flight recorder may take days or weeks, with immediate efforts focused on locating the missing passengers.
