By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
A helicopter on oil and gas shuttle service has crashed off the coast of Port Harcourt, Rivers state, leaving eight persons dead.
The tragic accident involved a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation and was en-route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil rig when it disappeared, indicating a crash.
A statement signed by the Head Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi, said the chopper, with eight persons on board, crashed into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Ministry said the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau had been notified and emergency response teams were immediately activated, and search and rescue operations were 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 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 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,” Oluseyi added.