The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Space Development has confirmed it has received a distress report of a helicopter accident that occurred today, 24th October 2024, at about 11:22 am local time along the waterways in Rivers State Southern Nigeria.
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.
This accident was confirmed in a Press Statement Signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Odutayo Oluseyi, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
The aircraft, with eight persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean. 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.
Also, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and other relevant agencies, neighboring aerodromes, have been notified to support the accident.
While no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received for now, 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 survivors So far, three bodies have been recovered.
The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, is actively working with all relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated response and to minimise casualties from the 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, the ministry added.
Dominica Nwabufo
Comments are closed.