British grandfather, 68, who escaped sinking oil rig with just the clothes on his back is 'not allowed to return home' weeks on

Résumé détaillé

Richard Richardson, 68, escaped with only the clothes he was wearing and a few euros from the Prospector 5 when it sank off Mayumba on October 24.

Published: 21:00 GMT, 15 November 2026 | Updated: 22:14 GMT, 15 November 2026

A British grandfather who survived the sinking of a drilling rig off Gabon is still not able to return home more than three weeks after the disaster.

Richard Richardson, 68, escaped with only the clothes he was wearing and a few euros from the Prospector 5 when it sank off Mayumba on October 24.

The marine warranty surveyor from Hull, Yorkshire, is among 'many' British workers who have since been staying at a secure hotel complex in Port Gentil, but his family say he is not free to leave.

His daughter Jessica Matisak said their family is now locked in 'a crisis with zero feeling of control' as they wait without answers for his return.

She added that her father has seven grandchildren 'who all want their grandfather home'.

A judicial investigation was opened on October 25 to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Ms Matisak said her father is co-operating with investigators but does not speak French, and that none of the workers have been charged with anything.

Trying to figure out if there is a formal restriction on his travel and how the Gabon legal system works are all issues which they and the families of other British survivors are now trying to grapple with.

Début de l'article, extrait de Daily Mail. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.