BREAKING: Three crew members found alive after oil vessel fire incident, says SEPCOL
The Shebah Exploration & Production Company Limited (SEPCOL) says three out of the ten crew members on board the oil vessel that exploded and sunk have been found alive.
SEPCOL, in a statement signed by Ikemefuna Okafor, chief executive officer (CEO), said the members would receive appropriate medical attention.
Providing an update on the incident today, Okafor 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 today 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.”