A helicopter transporting personnel for an oil and gas mission tragically crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Operated by East Wind Aviation, the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter (registration 5N-BQG) was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base to the NUIMANTAN offshore oil rig when it disappeared.
The crash, reported at around 11:00 a.m., left eight people on board, including two crew members and six passengers. Initial search efforts recovered three bodies from waters near Bonny Finima, with no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal detected. Manual location plotting, along with assistance from the Nigerian military, low-flying aircraft, and emergency response teams, continues as authorities work to find any potential survivors.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, alongside local agencies, are actively coordinating the search, with support from neighboring aerodromes. However, the Rivers State Police Command has stated that all occupants are feared dead.
Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed the tragic news, extending condolences to the families affected. Aviation Minister Odutayo Oluseyi has pledged ongoing support and cooperation from all agencies to bring closure to the incident, emphasizing a commitment to thorough investigation and response.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those on board,” Oluseyi said. Further details will follow as the investigation unfolds.
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