Six passengers and two crew members onboard the Eastwind Aviation helicopter that crashed into Bonny River, in Rivers State, yesterday has been confirmed dead.
The helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG was from Port Harcourt Military Base, DNPM, to the Nuimantan Oil Rig when it crashed
The Rivers State police Command in a statement said all eight persons aboard the helicopter died.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer Grace Iringe-Koko, said: “The Rivers State Police Command regrets to inform the public of a tragic incident that occurred today, at 11am.
“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.“
Daily Intel gathered that the oil workers were contract staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL.
The National Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, in a statement said it has commenced investigation into the incident.
