A helicopter yesterday crashed in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, leaving eight persons on board feared dead. according to credible sources familiar with the incident.
The incident, report said, occurred at 11:22 a.m. in the waterways in Port Harcourt while the helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 registered 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was on its way from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the Nuimantan oil platform.
The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) yesterday confirmed that the helicopter was conveying its staffers to the Nuimantan oil platform, when the crash happened, saying the ill-fated chopper had six passengers and two crew members on board.
The Rivers State Police Command, while confirming the incident in a statement yesterday, by its spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent (SP) said it regretted to inform the public of a tragic incident that occurred today (yesterday), 24th October 2024, at approximately 11 am, adding that a staffer of Antan Producing Limited, Port Harcourt, Ifeanyi Udogwu reported the crash at the command.
The statement said: “Mr Ifeanyi Udogwu, a staff of Antan Producing Limited, Port Harcourt, reported to the Command that a helicopter with the call sign number 5N-BQG (S76C+), belonging to East Wing Aviation, departed from the NAF Base in Port Harcourt. The flight was bound for Nuim Antan OML123 fields, carrying two crew members and six passengers.
“Unfortunately, at about 11 am, the helicopter reportedly ditched into the ocean near Antan Producing Limited’s Mimbo platform and FPSO. All eight persons onboard are feared dead. The Marine Division of the Rivers State Police Command is cooperating with other agencies to recover the aircraft and the occupants.”
Also, a statement from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, signed by the ministry’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Odutayo Oluseyi confirmed the crash.
It 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.”
It continued: “The aircraft, with eight persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and emergency response teams were immediately activated, and 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.
“While no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received, manual efforts to plot the location of the accident are underway, 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.”
It added: “The Honourable Minister of Aviation is actively working with all relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated response and to minimize casualties from this unfortunate incident. Further information will be provided as details emerge.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those on board, and we are committed to providing the necessary support during this difficult time.”
