FPSO Explosion: 3 Crew Found Alive, 7 Still Missing
Three out of the ten crew members on board the oil vessel belonging to Shebah Exploration & Production Company Limited (SEPCOL) that exploded and sunk on Wednesday have been found alive.
In a statement on Sunday, Ikemefuna Okafor, chief executive officer (CEO) of SEPCOL, said the members would receive appropriate medical attention.
The company had earlier in the week disclosed that ten crew members were onboard the facility when the incident occurred.
Okafor in the statement on Sunday, said the team also discovered one yet-to-identified dead body in the vicinity of the FPSO.
“We can confirm that three (3) crew members have been found alive in the community and our priority is to ensure that they receive the appropriate medical attention they need. Furthermore, in the early hours of Sunday 6th February 2022, one dead body was discovered in the vicinity of the FPSO. The identity of the dead body is yet to be ascertained,” the statement reads.
“As earlier confirmed, the fire burnt out completely as of Thursday afternoon, 3rd Feb. 2022, thus enabling closer inspection of the vessel. A Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) with the relevant authorities, stakeholders, and expert organisations took place on Saturday, 5th February 2022.
“The focus of our joint efforts is to prioritise investigations towards establishing the whereabouts, safety, and security of the 7 crew members still missing, clean up and limit damage to the environment, and establish the cause of the explosion.
“We appreciate the assistance provided by the Clean Nigeria Associates, the Chevron team, NOSDRA, NUPRC, SPDC, NIMASA, and people in the community, particularly the fishermen, who have been of immense assistance since the incident occurred.”
SEPCOL on Saturday said the fire burnt out completely and that a joint team with the relevant authorities, stakeholders, and expert organisations have commenced investigations into the incident.
