A tragic helicopter crash near Bonny River in Rivers State has claimed the lives of all eight occupants, including six passengers and two crew members. The Eastwind Aviation helicopter departed from Port Harcourt Military Base, headed to the FPSO NUIM ANTAN offshore platform. Reports from the Rivers State Police Command confirmed that the helicopter, identified as Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5N-BQG, went down around 11 a.m. near Antan Producing Limited’s Mimbo platform.
According to the Rivers State Police, the Marine Division is coordinating with other agencies to recover both the aircraft and the bodies of the passengers. The Police Command expressed condolences to the families affected by the tragedy, stating that all eight individuals on board are feared dead. So far, three bodies have been recovered, with rescue operations ongoing.
In a separate statement, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development confirmed the crash, highlighting that emergency response teams from multiple agencies have been activated to locate the remaining passengers. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) also confirmed that some of the passengers were contract staff.
The National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation into the incident, led by Captain Alex Badeh Jr. of NSIB, who emphasized the agency's commitment to uncovering the circumstances of the crash. With support from NEMA, NCAA, and other relevant authorities, search efforts continue using military and low-flying aircraft, while the NSIB urges the public to avoid speculation during this critical period.
