The helicopter which crashed on Thursday morning has been confirmed to be carrying personnel from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The aircraft plunged into the waters around Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The incident involved a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation, which had taken off from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) en route to the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN oil rig.
NNPCL spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed the helicopter was chartered by NNPC Limited and provided details about the ill-fated flight, which occurred at 11:22 a.m. along the waterways in Port Harcourt.
The crash has prompted a swift response from emergency services, with rescue operations currently underway.
Odutayo Oluseyi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, reported that eight individuals were confirmed on board at the time of the accident.
The authorities said in a statement that rescue efforts have been activated and that the aircraft was ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.
NNPCL said, “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 assure that we will continue doing everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation.”