The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has confirmed the crash of a helicopter in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday, October 24, 2024.
Mr Keyamo in a statement shared on his X account the Ministry of Aviation received a distressing report of the crash which occurred at about 11:22 am along the Port Harcourt Waterways.
The statement was signed by Odutayo Oluseyi, the Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
According to the statement, 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.
He said the helicopter with eight people 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 and 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. Neighbouring aerodromes have 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 said.
He added that the Aviation Ministry is working closely with all relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated response and to minimise casualties from the 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,” the statement added.
