Grampian Police can confirm that eight deceased bodies have been recovered from the North Sea after a helicopter came down around 35 miles off the coast of Crimond, Aberdeenshire around 2pm, Wednesday 1 April.
The remaining eight persons are unaccounted for.
An emergency telephone number has been made available by BP. Concerned relatives are asked to contact 01224 836479.
Further information will be made available in due course.