3 dead, 5 missing as helicopter crashes in Port Harcourt

No more than three persons have lost their lives in a helicopter accident that happened around 11:22 am in Port Harcourt today,

The accident, which involved 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.

A statement by the Head Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi, said the aircraft, with eight persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.

Oluseyi also stated that search and rescue efforts were ongoing to locate the others.

The statement reads in part: “The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, 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 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.”