Three persons have been confirmed dead while the fate of five persons remain uncertain when a helicopter contracted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has crashed into the Atlantic Ocean eight hours off the Bonny Island coastline.

NNPCL announced this via a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye on Thursday, October 24, 2024 in Abuja.

Checks by Kristina Reports indicate that the incidented helicopter is a Sikorsky SK76 with registration number: 5N-BQG operated by East Winds Aviation.

The company said it lost contact with the helicopter at about 11.22am on Thursday, October 24, 2024 after it airlifted from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Port Harcourt, Rivers State en route the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) platform – NUIMS ANTAN, off the Bonny coast.

“On the 24th of October 2024, about 11:22am, we lost contact with the Helicopter – Register Number: 5N-BQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN. The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation.

The statement disclosed that there were eight persons on board, six passengers and two crew members, informing further that search and rescued efforts have ensured the three bodies have been recovered.

The NNPCL said it had informed the appropriate authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, which has since issued a press statement.

On its part, the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in a statement signed by its Head, Press and Public Relations, Odutayo Oluseyi said upon receiving notification of the incident, alerted the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the incident area.

“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.”

“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 Honourable 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.”