MARGARET CHIDERA
One worker has been confirmed dead and three missing following the capsize of a Seplat Energy Drilling Rig in Delta State on Tuesday.
The energy company has confirmed that only one worker died while three are still missing.
According to eye witness account, some foreign Nationals are among the missing workers who are believed to have gone down with the drilling rig.
“Some Britons and French expatriate, including some Nigerians have drowned with the Rig,” a worker who barely survived the incident told newsmen on Tuesday.
However, in a statement issued in the aftermath the incident, Seplat Chief Executive Officer, Roger Brown, said the incident involving the Majestic Rig occurred near Ovhor, Delta State, in the early hours of Tuesday, and only one worker died.
“Seplat Energy regrets to announce a serious incident on the Depthwise swamp drilling rig “Majestic” in the early hours of this morning.
“Seplat, as the operator of the SEPLAT/NNPCL joint venture, contracted the rig. It was in transit to its planned drilling location at Ovhor in Delta State when it capsized,” Mr Brown said.
He said 92 persons among the 96-member crew are safe.
“However, tragically, one fatality occurred during the incident, while three other rig personnel are still missing,” he said.
Mr Brown condoled with the families and friends of the deceased while noting that a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident will follow.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the crew member who sadly lost his life and the three crew members who are still missing at the time of this report.
“Our emergency response and rescue efforts working alongside the rig owner and the authorities have been activated and are onsite.
“Our utmost priority will continue to be the safety and well-being of all the affected personnel and their families. We will provide further details as our understanding of the incident develops. A detailed investigation into the cause of the accident will follow,” he said.
