Today, Thursday, a helicopter carrying eight people crashed in Rivers State. Three corpses have been found so far.

Eight people were on board when the chopper “ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean,” according to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

As stated in a statement by Odutayo Oluseyi, Head of Press and Public Relations, the ministry “received the distressing report of a helicopter accident that occurred along the waterways in Port Harcourt today, 24th October 2024, at approximately 11:22 a.m.”

The East Wind Aviation-operated Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registered 5NBQG, was travelling from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil site.

“With the assistance of the Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and other pertinent agencies, search and rescue operations are still underway. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been informed, and emergency response teams have been promptly activated.

Additionally, nearby aerodromes have been alerted for assistance.

“While no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received, manual efforts to plot the location of the accident are underway, and all available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivor(s).

Three corpses have been found so far.

“To guarantee a coordinated reaction and reduce the number of victims from this regrettable tragedy, the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, is actively collaborating with all pertinent agencies.

As further information becomes available, it will be shared.

“The families of those on board are in our thoughts and prayers, and we are dedicated to offering the support they need during this trying time.”