A tragic incident has occurred off the coast of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, resulting in the confirmation of three fatalities after a helicopter made an emergency ditching into the water. The accident has raised significant concern and is currently under investigation as authorities seek to understand the circumstances that led to this unfortunate event.
Rescue operations were promptly initiated in response to the distress signal from the helicopter; however, despite the swift efforts of the emergency responders, they were unable to save the three individuals who were on board the aircraft at the time of the incident. Their identities and the exact cause of death have yet to be disclosed, as authorities work on notifying their families.
Channels Television reported that the accident occurred at approximately 11:22 AM on Thursday, specifically in the waterways surrounding Port Harcourt. The helicopter involved in the incident was a Sikorsky SK76, which bore the registration number 5NBQG and was operated by East Wind Aviation. At the time of the accident, it was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the Nuimantan oil rig, a routine flight crucial for offshore operations in the oil and gas sector.
According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi, there were a total of eight individuals aboard the helicopter during the ill-fated flight. The authorities are now prioritizing the investigation into the factors that contributed to the accident and are committed to providing updates as more information becomes available.
The aircraft reportedly ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, prompting the activation of search and rescue efforts. These efforts aim to recover any remaining passengers and assess the situation further. Authorities continue to stress the importance of safety protocols in aviation to prevent future incidents of this nature, and they are actively looking into the operational status of the helicopter at the time of the crash.