Alfred Lahiri
Three passengers have died in a helicopter crash in Rivers State on Thursday.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who who confirmed the aviation accident in a statement on X said that crash 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 ill fated helicopter took off from the Port Harcourt Military Base to the NUIMANTAN oil rig with eight people on board when accident occurred.
The Minister expressed serious concern over the accident as he sent his condolences to the families of those who died.
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. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified, and emergency response teams were immediately activated. Search and rescue operations are ongoing with the support of the Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the National Safety Investigation Bureau, and other relevant agencies. Neighbouring aerodromes have also been notified for assistance.
“While no Emergency Locator Transmitter signal was received, manual efforts to determine the accident location are underway. All available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivors. So far, three bodies have been recovered,”
“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.” He said
