President Bola Tinubu has directed an intensification of search and rescue for passengers of the ill-fated helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic near Bonny Finima on Thursday in Port-Harcourt.
The helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation and registered as 5NBQG, was hired by NNPC Ltd. to ferry some contract staff to the NNPC facility FPSO—NUIMS ANTAN.
Tinubu urged military officers involved in various operations in the zone to join the rescue mission and provide all necessary support to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and other relevant agencies.
He condoled with the Board and staff of NNPC Ltd. and the families of those confirmed dead in the accident, Mr Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement.
Tinubu prayed that the Almighty God would grant eternal rest to the three departed souls and comfort their families.
Police confirm helicopter crash in Rivers, 8 feared dead
Meanwhile, the Police Command in Rivers has confirmed that eight persons were feared dead in a helicopter crash that occurred in Rivers.
The Spokesperson for the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Port Harcourt and made available to newsmen on on Thursday.
Iringe-Koko stated that the helicopter, owned by East Wing Aviation, was carrying two crew members and six passengers when it crashed into the sea. She explained that the crash occurred around 11 a.m.
“Ifeanyi Udogwu, a staff member of Antan Producing Limited, reported to the command that a helicopter, with the call sign number 5N-BQG (S76C+), departed from the Nigerian Air Force base in Port Harcourt.
“The flight was en route to the Nuim Antan OML123 oil fields, carrying two crew members and six passengers. Unfortunately, at around 11 a.m., the helicopter reportedly ditched into the ocean, near Antan Producing Limited’s Mimbo platform and FPSO. All eight persons onboard are feared dead,” Iring-Koko stated.
She added that the command’s marine division was working closely with other agencies to recover the aircraft and its occupants.
Iringe-Koko also extended the command’s deepest condolences to the families of those affected by the tragic accident.