Port Harcourt Helicopter Accident: 3 Dead, 5 Missing

Tragedy struck in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, today when a helicopter crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, claiming the lives of three people. The Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, operated by East Wind Aviation, was on its way from Port Harcourt Military Base to the Nuimantan oil rig with eight people on board when it ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima at 11:22 a.m.

Rescue efforts are underway, with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and other agencies working together to locate and rescue any survivors. Unfortunately, no Emergency Locator Transmitter signal was received, but manual efforts are being made to plot the accident’s location. Military and low-flying aircraft have been deployed to assist in the search.

The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has confirmed the incident and offered condolences to the families of those on board. This tragic incident is a sobering reminder of the risks associated with aviation.

While no Emergency Locator Transmitter 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

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi, stated that search and rescue operations have commenced. “While no Emergency Locator Transmitter 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.