Three confirmed dead in helicopter crash in Nigeria

A helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation, lost contact while flying from Port Harcourt on Thursday to its Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Antan oil production facility crashed resulting in the death of three passengers.

Penpushing reports that the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) Olufemi Soneye, disclosed the sad news this in a statement explaining that there were eight persons on board (six passengers and two crew members).

The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) explained that as at the time of filing this report search and rescue missions are currently ongoing, stating that three bodies have been recovered.

“On the 24th of October 2024, about 11:22 a.m., we lost contact with the Helicopter – Register Number: 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN’, the statement said.

‘The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation. There were eight persons on board (six passengers and two crew members). Search and rescue missions are currently ongoing. So far, three bodies have been recovered’, Soneye said.

Penpushing further reports that Chief Corporate Communications Officer said the appropriate authorities have been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, who later issued a press statement, adding situation was still been monitored.

“We shall continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates as the events unfold. Our prayers are with the passengers, crew and their respective families at this very difficult time. We assure that we will continue doing everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation,” he said.

Penpushing also reports that the Ministry of Aviation in a statement said that no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received from the helicopter, stressing that manual efforts to plot the location of the accident are underway.

The statement issued by Head of Press and Public Relations, Odutayo Oluseyi, said all available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivor(s).

Penpushing reports that the Ministry disclosed that additionally, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and emergency response teams were immediately activated, assuring that search and rescue operation are in progress.

‘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,” the statement added.

The Head of Press and Public Relations informed that neighbouring aerodromes have also been notified for support, while emphasising that the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, is actively working with all relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated response and to minimise casualties from this unfortunate incident.

Penpushing further reports that the statement said the ministry will provide details as emerge, adding that the management assured the families of those on board, of commitment to providing the necessary support during this difficult time

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