The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited confirmed that the helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation, which crashed on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was carrying personnel from the national oil company.
NNPC spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed that the helicopter was contracted by the company for the flight.
The Sikorsky SK76, registered as 5NBQG, took off from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) en route to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig when it went down at 11:22 a.m. over the Port Harcourt waterways.
Further details regarding the incident and the condition of the passengers are still pending.
The Spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi, confirmed that eight people were on board the helicopter at the time of the crash.
The aircraft ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, according to a statement from authorities, who also noted that rescue efforts have been initiated to locate the passengers and crew.
Soneye did not however disclose the names or identities of the NNPC officials who were on board the helicopter.
“On the 24th of October 2024, at 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 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. Search and rescue missions are currently ongoing. So far, three (3) bodies have been recovered.
“We shall continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates as the events unfold. Our prayers are with the passengers, crew and their respective families at this very difficult time. We assure that we will continue doing everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation,” Soneye said.
It was earlier reported that three individuals were killed in a helicopter crash in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday.
The helicopter, carrying eight people, was on a routine flight from the Port Harcourt military base to an oil rig when it went down in the Atlantic Ocean.
The ministry in the statement reported that three bodies have been recovered thus far, and search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate the remaining passengers.
“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 statement reads.
