Three bodies have been recovered, and five people remain missing following the crash of a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, operated by East Wind Aviation, in the waters of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday morning.
The incident occurred around 11:22 a.m. as the helicopter was en route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil rig.
In an official statement, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the tragic event. The spokesperson for the ministry, Odutayo Oluseyi, conveyed the minister’s words, revealing that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and emergency response teams were immediately activated. Ongoing search and rescue operations are being supported by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit.
“The Federal Ministry of Aviation has received the distressing report of a helicopter accident that occurred Thursday, October 24, 2024, at about 11:22 a.m. 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 minister said.
He further explained, “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.”
Despite no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal being received, Keyamo emphasized that efforts were underway to manually locate the crash site. “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,” he added.
Keyamo expressed the government’s commitment to minimizing casualties and assured that updates would be provided as the situation develops. “We are 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,” the statement concluded.
The minister offered his condolences to the families of the victims, 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.”
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with teams deploying various resources, including military support and low-flying aircraft, to locate survivors.
