JUST IN: Keyamo confirms recovery of fourth body from helicopter crash

Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has announced the recovery of an additional body from the helicopter crash that occurred last Thursday in the Atlantic Ocean. This update follows a clarification from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), which dismissed earlier claims that two bodies had been located.

In a statement on his X account, Keyamo shared that the NSIB notified him on Sunday about the recovery of another victim from the Eastwind Aviation helicopter incident. “We confirmed the identity of the additional body by matching it to a distinctive T-shirt description. Although the process took some time, photographic evidence verified this as the fourth victim,” he explained.

The NSIB reported that their field operations team identified the body by a unique T-shirt, which was confirmed through photographic evidence as belonging to the fourth casualty. The incident involved a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registered as 5N-BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation, which crashed while carrying eight individuals, including two crew members and six officials from the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited.

Initially, three bodies were recovered on the day of the crash, and this latest finding brings the total number of recovered bodies to four. The NSIB also mentioned that arrangements are in place with Eastwind Aviation to dispatch an air ambulance for the transport of the body on Monday, and they have notified the Port Harcourt Marine Police to prepare for its arrival.

Capt. Alex Badeh, Director General of the NSIB, praised the collaborative efforts of the joint search, rescue, and recovery team, along with international partners. “We are grateful for the coordinated support from our national and international collaborators in this difficult situation. Our thoughts are with the families affected, and we remain dedicated to collecting critical information to provide clarity and closure,” Badeh stated.

The NSIB reassured the public of its commitment to transparency throughout the investigation and its ongoing efforts to enhance transportation safety in Nigeria.