About eight people are fear dead in an helicopter crash that occurred in Port Harcourt, Rivers state
The crash occurred on Thursday at about 11:22am along the waterways in Port Harcourt.
The helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was en-route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil rig.
In a statement issued Thursday by the Head Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi said the aircraft, with eight persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.
He said: “The Federal Ministry of Aviation has received the distressing report of a helicopter accident that occurred today, 24th October 2024, at about 11:22 am along the waterways in Port Harcourt.
“The helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was en-route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil rig.
“The aircraft, with eight persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.”
Olusegun revealed that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and emergency response teams were immediately activated.
He added that search and rescue operations are ongoing with the support of the Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and other relevant agencies. Neighbouring aerodromes have also been notified for support.
Oluseyi stressed that while no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received, manual efforts to plot the location of the accident are underway, adding that and all available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivor(s). So far, three bodies have been recovered.
He said the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, is actively working with all relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated response and to minimise casualties from this unfortunate incident. Further information will be provided as details emerge.