Three persons have been confirmed dead in helicopter crash that occured around the Bonny Finima Atlantic ocean in Rivers State.
As at the time of filing this report, five other occupants of the helicopter operated by East Wind Aviation, are yet to be found in the deep ocean.
Meanwhile, the incident which occured at about 11:22am, Friday morning, has been confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
In a statement signed by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi, revealed that the eight occupants of the helicopter with registration number 5NBQG ditched inside the ocean.
Oluseyi explained that ministry received the distress report of the helicopter accident that occurred, saying that it was enroute from the Port Harcourt military base when it crashed into the Bonny Sea
According to Oluseyi “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.”
He said a joint emergency teams, have commenced search to rescue the other five victims not yet seen.
“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.”
Oluseyi further assured that “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.
“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”.
Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, said the crashed was engaged by the company.
Soneye assured that the NNPCL will continue doing everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation.