Three dead after Nigeria oil vessel explosion

Three deaths have been confirmed after an oil production vessel exploded in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region last Wednesday, the company announced on Monday.

Two bodies were found on the deck on Sunday and another corpse had been discovered earlier in the day.

Owners of the vessel, Nigeria's Shebah Exploration & Production Company Ltd, said their “priority remains focused towards establishing the whereabouts, safety, and security of the four crew members still missing".

Three crew members had been rescued from the wreckage of the vessel on Sunday morning, raising hopes that others were still alive. 

The vessel, Trinity Spirit, was said to be holding at least 50,000 barrels of crude oil when it exploded early Wednesday and had completely burnt out by Thursday.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion and it is not clear whether it has led to an oil spill.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Reuters