Three dead, five missing as helicopter crashes in Rivers

The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has confirmed the death of three persons in a tragic helicopter crash on Thursday, 24th October 2024.

The Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, with registration number 5NBQG, operated by East Wind Aviation, crashed into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean at around 11:22 am.

In a statement signed by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Odutayo Oluseyi, the helicopter, en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base to the NUIMANTAN oil rig, had eight persons on board.

The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN, confirmed that search and rescue efforts are underway. “The Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and other relevant agencies are actively involved,” the statement said.

Despite the absence of an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal, manual efforts to pinpoint the crash site are ongoing. “All available resources, including military units and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to locate and rescue any survivors,” Keyamo added.

So far, three bodies have been recovered, and the search for potential survivors continues. Neighbouring aerodromes have also been alerted to support the rescue mission.

Keyamo expressed condolences to the victims’ families, saying, “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 ministry emphasized that it is working with all relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated response and minimize casualties from the incident.

The statement read, “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, 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.”