3 Dead 5 Missing, As Helicopter Conveying oil Rig Workers To Site Crashes Into Bonny Ocean

The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in Nigeria reported that the bodies of three individuals have been recovered from the crash of a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, which had a registration number 5NBQG.The helicopter, carrying eight people, crashed on the waterways while traveling from Port Harcourt Military Base to the Nuimantan oil rig on Thursday morning.

According to a statement from Odutayo Oluseyi of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, an East Wind Aviation helicopter crashed at 11:22 a.m. in the waterways of Port Harcourt.

The statement indicated that the helicopter crashed into the waters close to Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.

He mentioned that rescue operations are underway and that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) along with nearby aerodromes have been informed. He added that search and rescue efforts have begun with assistance from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other pertinent agencies.

The authorities reported that although no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal had been detected, efforts to manually determine the accident’s location were in progress.They assured that all available resources, including military personnel and low-flying aircraft, were actively assisting in the search for survivors. As of now, three bodies have been found. The officials also extended their sympathies to the families of those on board.