Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
In a tragic incident on Thursday, a helicopter contracted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) crashed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, carrying eight personnel.
Truth Live News gathered that the ill-fated Sikorsky SK76, registered as 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, met its tragic end at 11:22 a.m. along the city’s waterways.
The helicopter had just departed from the Port Harcourt Military Base and was en route to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig when the accident occurred.
NNPC Limited’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed the crash, adding that the helicopter was under contract with the company.
Also, Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, confirmed the accident in a statement via his X account. He expressed deep concern for those involved in the crash.
“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. Search and rescue operations are ongoing with the support of the Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the National Safety Investigation Bureau, and other relevant agencies. Neighbouring aerodromes have also been notified for assistance.
“While no Emergency Locator Transmitter signal was received, manual efforts to determine the accident location are underway. 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,” Keyamo said.
Keyamo further extended his condolences to the families of those onboard, assuring them of the government’s commitment to providing support during this difficult tim