The crash occurred over the Bonny River, near Rivers State, and involved six passengers and two crew members aboard the helicopter.
The Rivers State Police Command has said that all eight occupants of an Eastwind Aviation helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday are feared died.
The crash occurred over the Bonny River, near Rivers State, and involved six passengers and two crew members aboard the helicopter.
The ill-fated helicopter was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base to the offshore facility, FPSO NUIM ANTAN, located off the coast of Calabar.
The cause of the crash, which took place at around 11 a.m., is still under investigation.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Command, confirmed the fatalities and expressed the command's deep regret in a statement.
"The Rivers State Police Command regrets to inform the public of a tragic incident that occurred today, resulting in the loss of all lives aboard the helicopter.
The statement reads, “Mr Ifeanyi Udogwu, a staff of Antan Producing Limited, Port Harcourt, reported to the Command that a helicopter with the call sign number 5N-BQG (S76C+), belonging to East Wing Aviation, departed from the NAF Base in Port Harcourt. The flight was bound for Nuim Antan OML123 fields, carrying two crew members and six passengers.
“Unfortunately, about 11a.m., the helicopter reportedly ditched into the ocean near Antan Producing Limited’s Mimbo platform and FPSO. All eight persons onboard are feared dead.
“The Police Public Relations Officer said that the Marine Division of the Rivers State Police Command is cooperating with other agencies to recover the aircraft and the occupants.
“The Rivers State Police Command extends its deepest condolences to the families of the tragic times," Iringe-Koko added.
On Thursday, SaharaReporters reported that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited had confirmed that the helicopter involved in a crash in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was heading to its floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) facility.
In a statement on Thursday, NNPC spokesperson, Oluwafemi Soneye, said the national oil company had engaged the helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation.
According to the statement, the company lost contact with the helicopter – register number 5NBQG – at around 11:22 am after it departed from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) base in Port Harcourt.
The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development earlier announced that three people had died in the crash. NNPC confirmed that eight people were on board the helicopter, including six passengers and two crew members.
“On the 24th of October 2024, about 11:22am, 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 helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation,” NNPC said.
“There were 8 persons on board (6 passengers and 2 crew members). The appropriate authorities have been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, who have since issued a press statement. Search and rescue missions are currently ongoing. So far, three (3) bodies have been recovered.”
NNPC reassured that the situation was being closely monitored and that it would continue to provide updates as they unfold.
“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.”
The national oil company also pledged continued support for the ongoing search and rescue efforts.