On Thursday, a helicopter belonging to Eastwind Aviation crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near the Bonny River in Rivers State, Nigeria. All eight individuals aboard, including six passengers and two crew members, are feared dead.
The helicopter had departed from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Port Harcourt and was headed to the Nuim Antan Oil Rig, operated by Antan Producing Limited.
The crash happened around 11 a.m., according to Grace Iringe-Koko, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command.
In an official statement, she shared, “The Rivers State Police Command regrets to inform the public of a tragic incident that occurred today, at 11am.” The aircraft, with the call sign 5N-BQG, was carrying two crew members and six oil industry workers when it “ditched into the ocean near Antan Producing Limited’s Mimbo platform and FPSO.”
Search and rescue operations were quickly mobilized following the report of the crash. Three bodies have so far been recovered, while the search continues for the remaining five. The Marine Division of the Rivers State Police Command is working closely with other agencies to recover both the helicopter and any possible survivors.
Authorities, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and emergency response teams, are actively involved in the ongoing efforts to locate the missing passengers.
She added; “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 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.
