Helicopter Carrying NNPCL Employees Crashes in Port Harcourt, Details Emerge

• A helicopter crash occurred in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, carrying eight people, including crew members
• The incident, which took place around 11am, involved personnel of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited
• Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, has confirmed the incident and also provided update

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Some personnel of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) were involved in a tragic helicopter crash in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

NNPCL's spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed the incident in a statement. He said the helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation, was engaged by NNPC Limited.

The helicopter crashed at 11.22am along the waterways in Port Harcourt. The Sikorsky SK76, with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, had taken off from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) en route to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.

NNPC statement reads:

“On the 24th of October 2024, about 11:22am, we lost contact with the Helicopter – Register Number: 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN. The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation.

"There were 8 persons on board (6 passengers and 2 crew members). The appropriate authorities have been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, who have since issued a press statement. Search and rescue missions are currently ongoing. So far, three (3) bodies have been recovered.

"We shall continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates as the events unfold. Our prayers are with the passengers, crew and their respective families at this very difficult time. We assure that we will continue doing everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation."

Festus Keyamo confirms incident

Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, has also confirmed the incident. He explained that the helicopter is a Sikorsky SK76 operated by East Wind Aviation.

Keyamo, in a statement via his X account, expressed deep concern over the incident while confirming that three persons on board had lost their lives.

Part of his statement reads:

“The aircraft, with eight persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.

"The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified, and emergency response teams were immediately activated. Search and rescue operations are ongoing with the support of the Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the National Safety Investigation Bureau, and other relevant agencies. Neighbouring aerodromes have also been notified for assistance.

“While no Emergency Locator Transmitter signal was received, manual efforts to determine the accident location are underway. All available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivors. So far, three bodies have been recovered."

NNPC sells crude oil to Dangote Refinery

Legit.ng previously reported that the Dangote refinery had received four crude oil cargoes from the NNPC under the naira-for-crude deal.

The cargoes were reportedly delivered to the facility in the last three weeks when the Nigerian government began selling crude to local refineries in naira.

Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.