Independent oil and gas company, Seplat Energy Plc, has confirmed that its rig collapsed during early hours of Wednesday. 

The company said in a statement, "Seplat Energy regrets to announce a serious incident on the Depthwise swamp drilling rig, ‘Majestic’, early this morning. Seplat, 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 whendeath of one person due to the collapse of its oil rig in Delta State.

Revealing that some of its crew members are still unaccounted for, the company said: "At least 92 of the 96-member crew are accounted for and safe. However, tragically one fatality occurred during the incident, while three other rig personnel are still missing.

“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 are working alongside the rig owner and the authorities have been activated and are onsite."

Seplat revealed that their utmost priority would continue to be the safety and wellbeing of all the affected personnel and their families.