Rescuers have recovered a yet-to-be-identified dead body close to the scene of a Floating Producing Storage and Offloading (FPSO), unit that exploded on Wednesday at Escravos area of Delta State.
Similarly, three of the vessel’s crewmen have also been rescued in a nearby village by the rescuers deployed to the scene immediately after the incident occurred.
Daily Trust had reported that FPSO TRINITY SPIRIT, owned by Shebah Exploration & Production Company Limited (SEPCOL), exploded on Wednesday at Escravos, in Delta State.
A statement by the management of SEPCOL, signed by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ikenefuna Okafor, issued on Sunday, said one dead body was found close to the scene of the incident while three crew members have been rescued.
Okafor, while providing a further update on the missing crew members following the explosion and subsequent fire, confirmed that three crew members have been found alive in the community.
He said the management’s priority is to ensure that those rescued would receive appropriate medical attention.
“Furthermore, in the early hours of Sunday, February 6, 2022, one dead body was discovered in the vicinity of the FPSO. The identity of the dead body is yet to be ascertained.
“As earlier confirmed, the fire burnt out completely as of Thursday afternoon, February 3, 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 seven 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.
“Members of the public should continue to keep away from the area while our crisis management team monitors developments in the investigations and update all stakeholders with new information accordingly.”