Six people were rescued from the debris of Wednesday’s helicopter crash in Lagos, the Lagos State Fire and Safety Services has said.
Rasak Fadipe, the head of the agency disclosed that four dead bodies have so far been recovered from the scene of the accident.
“So far, we’ve learnt that 12 people were aboard the helicopter. Rescue operations are still ongoing,” Mr. Fadipe said over the phone.
But an eye witness said that all the 12 people – two pilots and 10 passengers – aboard the helicopter died in the crash. That could not be independently confirmed at press time.
It is unclear whether those the fire service claimed to have rescued died on the way to hospital.
The helicopter, belonging to Bristol Helicopters and with registration number 5NBGD, was coming from‎ Escravos in Delta State and exploded before crashing.
It crashed behind the King’s palace at Oworonsoki, Lagos, emergency rescue officials said.

The Lagos State Police Command’s spokeswoman, DSP Patricia Amadin, also confirmed the incident to NAN.

According to her, the commercial helicopter plunged into the Lagoon, behind Oworosoki Police station, immediately it took off.

Amadin said the helicopter was carrying 12 passengers, adding that as at press time (5:19pm), six persons were rescued, while the police and other rescue teams were still searching for two other persons in the waters.

NAN reports that the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) are yet to comment on the incident.