BREAKING: Helicopter Crashes In Rivers, Bodies Of 3 Oil Workers Recovered, 5 Missing

• Tragedy struck in Port Harcourt, Rivers state as a helicopter, Sikorsky SK76 with eight passengers crashed on Thursday morning
• It was gathered that the helicopter crash occurred at about 11:22 am along the waterways in Port Harcourt
• The aviation minister, Festus Keyamo, said three bodies have been recovered while the five other passengers are missing

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 5 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international events

Port-Harcourt, Rivers state - A helicopter, Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG, operated by East Wind Aviation, has crashed into the waters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, said the crash occurred at about 11:22 am along the waterways in Port Harcourt on Thursday morning, October 24.

Keyamo said three bodies have been recovered while five persons are missing as search operations continue.

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Nigerians react as crashed helicopter had NNPCL personnel onboard: “We need clarity”

The ministry’s spokesperson, Odutayo Oluseyi, disclosed this in a statement shared via X (formerly known as Twitter) @fkeyamo, on October 24.

Keyamo disclosed that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) was notified and emergency response teams were immediately activated.

“The aircraft, with eight persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and emergency response teams were immediately activated, search and rescue operations are ongoing with the support of the Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and other relevant agencies. Neighbouring aerodromes have also been notified for support."

Legit.ng recalls that some personnel of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) were involved in a tragic helicopter crash.

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"Our personnel involved": NNPC opens up on helicopter crash

NNPCL spokesman Olufemi Soneye confirmed the incident in a statement

Nigerians react as helicopter crashes in Rivers

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Nigerians demanded answers as the NNPCL broke silence on a crashed helicopter in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

The NNPPCL in a statement clarified that its personnel was onboard the helicopter that crashed into a river, and claimed the lives of 3 passengers.

Nigerians took to the social media platform X and reacted differently to the NNPCL's statement.

Source: Legit.ng