file photo

A helicopter carrying eight people crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima on Thursday morning, Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has confirmed. Search and rescue operations are currently underway for the remaining passengers.

The Sikorsky SK76, operated by East Wind Aviation, went down at approximately 11:22 am while traveling from Port Harcourt Military Base to the NUIMANTAN oil rig. Three bodies have been recovered so far from the crash site.

“Manual search efforts are ongoing as no Emergency Locator Transmitter signal was received from the aircraft,” Keyamo said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). “We have mobilized all available resources, including military assets and low-flying aircraft, to assist in the rescue operation.”

Multiple agencies have been deployed to the scene, including:

  • Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit
  • Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority
  • National Safety Investigation Bureau
  • Neighboring aerodromes

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and will conduct an investigation into the cause of the crash.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those on board,” Keyamo said, adding that the ministry is “committed to providing the necessary support during this difficult time.”

The Aviation Ministry has not yet released the identities of the passengers or crew members involved in the incident.