NAIJA NEWS
A helicopter carrying personnel from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) met a tragic fate on Thursday, crashing into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The incident involved a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation, which had taken off from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) en route to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.
NNPCL spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed the helicopter was chartered by NNPC Limited and provided details about the ill-fated flight, which occurred at 11:22 a.m. along the waterways in Port Harcourt.
The crash has prompted a swift response from emergency services, with rescue operations currently underway.
Odutayo Oluseyi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, reported that eight individuals were confirmed on board at the time of the accident.