The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced a helicopter crash involving a Sikorsky SK76 operated by East Wind Aviation.
Reports shows that the accident occurred at approximately 11:22 am today, Thursday the 24th of October, 2024, along the waterways near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, while the helicopter was en route from Port Harcourt Military Base to the NUIMANTAN oil rig.
The Minister in his remarks confirmed that the aircraft had eight people on board.
He made this known in a statement on Thursday via his X account, expressing deep concern over the sad incident.
In his words he said that, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified, and emergency response teams were immediately activated.
He said that a search and rescue operations are currently 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.
He also said that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified, and emergency response teams were immediately activated.
“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"
He further added that 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,”
“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.
The minister extended his condolences to the families of those that lost their lives on board.
“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.” he Stated.
