The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development confirmed three persons dead in a helicopter crash on Thursday, October 24, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
The ministry confirmed the accident in a statement from the office of the minister, Festus Keyamo, and signed by the head of press and public relations, Odutayo Oluseyi.
It said that the incident occurred at about 11:22 a.m. 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 when it crashed.
According to the statement eight persons were confirmed on board the ill-fated aircraft.
“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 aircraft, with eight persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean,” the ministry said.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has been notified and emergency response teams were immediately activated, while 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, it said, adding that the neighbouring aerodromes had 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,” the ministry added.
The ministry added that the minister of aviation, Festus Keyqmo, is working with all relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated response and to minimise casualties from the incident.
