The Chief Corporation Communication Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC Ltd) Olufemi Soneye, has disclosed in a press statement a helicopter mishap on 24th of October 2024 at about 11:22 am.

According to Soneye, the helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation and engaged by NNPC to take passengers from the Port Harcourt Nigerian Airforce Base to the Nuims Antan FPSO off Calabar.

The eight persons on board the Sikorsky S76 model helicopter were six passengers and two crew members.

“Helicopter – Register Number: 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the FPSO – NUIMS ANTAN. The helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation.

“There were 8 persons on board (6 passengers and 2 crew members). The appropriate authorities have been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, who have since issued a press statement,” Soneye said.

“Search and rescue missions are currently ongoing. So far, three (3) bodies have been recovered. 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 you that we will continue doing everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation,” He added.

East Winds Aviation also stated: " Upon receiving this information, our emergency response team was convened immediately, and search and rescue mobilised to the scene, and these remain active at the time of this press release,” East Winds Aviation stated.”