Helicopter Horror left 8 People Dead in Nigeria's Bonny Island

Helicopter Horror left 8 People Dead in Nigeria's Bonny Island 

A devastating helicopter crash in Bonny, Rivers State, has claimed the lives of all eight occupants, according to the Rivers State Police Command. The Eastwind Aviation helicopter, carrying six passengers and two crew members, ditched into the Atlantic Ocean while en route from Port Harcourt Military Base to FPSO NUIM ANTAN offshore Calabar.

The incident occurred yesterday at 11 am, sparking a swift response from emergency services. The helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration number 5N-BQG, was operated by Eastwind Aviation.

According to Mr. Ifeanyi Udogwu, a staff member of Antan Producing Limited, Port Harcourt, the helicopter departed from the NAF Base in Port Harcourt bound for Nuim Antan OML123 fields. Unfortunately, it crashed into the ocean near Antan Producing Limited's Mimbo platform and FPSO.

The Rivers State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, stating, "All eight persons onboard are feared dead." The Command extended its deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

The Aviation Ministry also confirmed the crash in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Odutayo Oluseyi. Meanwhile, Vanguard gathered that the oil workers were contract staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

The National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced investigation into the accident. Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. stated, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this tragic incident. We are fully committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding this accident... We will work diligently to ensure that all necessary information is collected."

The investigation revealed that the helicopter was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and did not transmit an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal, prompting authorities to manually plot the accident's location to expedite search and rescue efforts.

Search and rescue operations were activated immediately, with the NSIB collaborating closely with NEMA, NCAA, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and other relevant agencies. Emergency response teams are actively working to locate survivors, with three bodies recovered so far. The search continues with support from neighboring aerodromes, military units, and low-flying aircraft.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing condolences to the families of the victims. As the investigation unfolds, questions surrounding the cause of the crash remain. The NSIB's findings will be crucial in determining the circumstances leading to this tragic event.

For now, the focus remains on supporting the families of the victims and ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.