The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has confirmed the deaths of three workers following a helicopter crash in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday.
Olufemi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, disclosed the details in a statement from Abuja shortly after the incident. He said the helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation, was contracted by NNPCL.
The crash occurred at 11:22 a.m. along the waterways of Port Harcourt, shortly after the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, with registration number 5NBQG, took off from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) en route to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.
The NNPCL statement read: “On the 24th of October 2024, at approximately 11:22 a.m., contact was lost with the helicopter—Register Number 5NBQG—engaged by NNPC Limited, which departed from Port Harcourt NAF Base heading towards the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN. The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation. There were eight individuals on board, including six passengers and two crew members.”
Soneye confirmed that relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Aviation, had been informed, and search and rescue operations are ongoing. “So far, three bodies have been recovered,” he stated, adding that NNPCL will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi, confirmed the helicopter had eight people on board. The search and rescue mission is still in progress, with five passengers still missing.
NNPCL expressed its deepest sympathies to the families of the passengers and crew during this difficult time and assured that every effort is being made to support the rescue operation.
