No fewer than three persons have lost their lives m in a helicopter crash in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.
The spokesperson for the ministry of aviation and aerospace development, Odutayo Oluseyi, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday.
The statement reads, “The Federal Ministry of Aviation has received the distressing report of a helicopter accident that occurred today, 24th October 2024, at about 11:22 am along the waterways in Port Harcourt.
“The helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was en-route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil rig.
“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, and 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. Neighbouring aerodromes have also been notified for support.
