The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has said that the passengers involved in the helicopter that crashed in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, on Thursday, were its personnel.
The NNPCL said that the ill-fated helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation was engaged by NNPCL.
This was contained in a statement by the organization’s spokesman, Olufemi Soneye on Thursday.
“On the 24th of October 2024, about 11:22 am, we lost contact with the Helicopter – Register Number: 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN. The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation.
“There were 8 persons on board (6 passengers and 2 crew members). The appropriate authorities have been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, who have since issued a press statement.” The statement reads in part
Easier Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who who confirmed the aviation accident in a statement on X said that three bodies had been recorded in the crash which involved a Sikorsky SK76 operated by East Wind Aviation.
According to him the crash occurred at around 11:22 am along the waterways near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.
The helicopter took off from the Port Harcourt Military Base to the NUIMANTAN oil rig with eight people on board when accident occurred.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi, confirmed that a total of eight persons were on board the helicopter.
However, there are concerns over the lives of the five others as rescue efforts are intensified to find them.
