*3 already confirmed, 5 missing as rescue mission is still continuing
*Accident was said to have occurred in Bonny Waterways at 11.22 am
*The helicopter ditched into waters near Bonny Finima in Atlantic Ocean
*Aviation Minister mourns, expresses sympathy with deceased families
By Emmanuel Obisue and Philip Ezuma, Port Harcourt
Three bodies have been recovered, following a helicopter accident that occurred on Thursday, in Bonny waterways, near Finima town, Rivers State.
According to press statement from the office of the Head, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyin, the crash occurred at about 11.22 am, when the helicopter Sikorsky SK76, with registration number 5BNQB, and operated by East Wind Aviation, was en-route from the Port Harcourt Military Base DNPM, to the NUIMANTAN oil rig in Bonny.
The aircraft, with eight persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace development, Mr. Festus Keyamo has expressed sympathy with families of those that lost their lives in the helicopter crash near Finima Bonny ocean.
The Minister in a statement, noted that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau had been notified and emergency response teams immediately activated, and search and rescue operations 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.
“While no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) 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”, the statement noted.
It is further added that the Minister of Aviation is actively working with all relevant agencies, to ensure a coordinated response, and to minimize casualties from such unfortunate incidents, affirming that further information will be provided as details emerge.
“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.”
Also reacting, Chief Corporate Communications Officer NNPC Ltd. Olufemi O. Soneye, confirmed that the appropriate authorities have been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, noting that search and rescue missions are currently ongoing.
