Oil Workers Perish As Helicopter Crashes Into Atlantic Ocean

The bodies of five victims of the helicopter crash into the Atlantic Ocean near Finima, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State are yet to be seen. Three bodies have however been recovered.

TNN learnt that the accident occurred on Thursday shortly after the helicopter left the airforce base and headed towards an oil rig belonging to one of the oil firms.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who confirmed the crash said the helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 belonged to the East Wind Aviation.

The statement said: “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, the National Safety Investigation Bureau, and other relevant agencies. Neighbouring aerodromes have also been notified for assistance.

“While no Emergency Locator Transmitter signal was received, manual efforts to determine the accident location are underway. All available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivors. So far, three bodies have been recovered.”