Kehinde Fajobi
The Rivers State Police Command announced on Thursday that all eight passengers on board a helicopter that crashed into the waterways of Port Harcourt may have died. Earlier reports had confirmed three fatalities.
The crash occurred at 11:22 a.m. when a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registered as 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, took off from the Port Harcourt Military Base. The flight was bound for the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig, carrying two crew members and six passengers.
Odutayo Oluseyi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, confirmed the total of eight people on board, adding that the helicopter went down in the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean. Authorities reported that rescue operations had been activated.
In an update, the Rivers State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that all on board are feared dead. This announcement came after President Bola Tinubu ordered an intensified search and directed the military to join the rescue efforts.
The Police Command’s full statement read:
PRESS RELEASE
SEA DISASTER: HELICOPTER CRASH NEAR MIMBO AND FPSO, EIGHT FEARED DEAD
The Rivers State Police Command regrets to inform the public of a tragic incident that occurred today, 24th October 2024, at approximately 11 a.m.
Mr Ifeanyi Udogwu, a staff member of Antan Producing Limited, Port Harcourt, reported to the Command that a helicopter with the call sign 5N-BQG (S76C+), operated by East Wing Aviation, departed from the NAF Base in Port Harcourt. The aircraft, en route to Nuim Antan OML123 fields, carried two crew members and six passengers.
Unfortunately, at around 11 a.m., the helicopter reportedly ditched into the ocean near Antan Producing Limited’s Mimbo platform and FPSO. All eight persons on board are feared dead.
The Marine Division of the Rivers State Police Command is collaborating with other agencies to recover the aircraft and its occupants.
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, confirmed the incident in a press release.
The Rivers State Police Command extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims during this tragic time.
SP GRACE IRINGE-KOKO, ANIPR
Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Police Command