The National Oil Corporation (NOC) has announced that unidentified aircraft nearly collided with a helicopter transporting oil sector employees from Sabratha platform to Tripoli's Mitiga airport, according to a letter sent to the NOC by Mellitah oil and gas company on December 31, 2017.

The NOC posted on its website a clarification saying that the incident almost ended with a tragic collision and left the employees and the crew members in sheer panic.

"When arriving at the Mitiga airport in Tripoli, the air traffic control said there was no report of the plane, which they said it was flying low in the airspace." Said several passengers from the helicopter, according to social media reports.

The NOC also explained that it had contacted the relevant authorities urging them to probe the violation so that other similar acts can be deterred, adding that it will do its best to ensure the application of the needed aviation safety measures so that its personnel can guarantee that their lives won't be in danger in the future.

Oil sources reported on Sunday that an unidentified plane nearly collided with the helicopter of the Millitah oil and gas company with the personnel aboard en route to Tripoli's Mitiga airport, causing panic and anger among the passengers who saw the incident as a form of carelessness by the official authorities toward their safety, despite the fact that they are very vital to the stability of the country.