The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, has confirmed that it hired the helicopter that crashed Thursday morning in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In a statement issued Thursday evening, Olufemi Soneye, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, said the ill-fated helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation, took off from Port Harcourt Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Port Harcourt en route the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN.
Soneye confirmed that there were eight persons on board (6 passengers and 2 crew members) and three bodies had been recovered.
The tragedy has been reported to the appropriate authorities while search-and-rescue operations continue for the missing five, Soneye concluded.
Below is the full statement by the NNPCL;
NNPC Ltd Reports Helicopter Incident En-Route NUIMS-ANTAN FPSO
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 will continue to do everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation.
Olufemi O. Soneye
Chief Corporate Communications Officer
NNPC Ltd.
Abuja.
24th October, 2024.
