The Rivers State Police Command has reported that all eight individuals on board a helicopter that went down in the Atlantic Ocean are feared dead.
The helicopter, carrying six passengers and two crew members, was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base to the FPSO Nuim Antan oil facility, located offshore near Calabar. The tragic incident reportedly occurred around 11 a.m.
Police Public Relations Officer Grace Iringe-Koko issued a statement on the crash, explaining, “The Rivers State Police Command regrets to inform the public of a tragic incident that occurred today at approximately 11 a.m.
A report was received from Mr. Ifeanyi Udogwu, a staff member at Antan Producing Limited, Port Harcourt, that a helicopter with call sign 5N-BQG (S76C+), operated by East Wing Aviation, had crashed. The helicopter had departed from the Nigerian Air Force base in Port Harcourt, bound for the Nuim Antan OML123 fields, with two crew members and six passengers on board.”
According to Iringe-Koko, the helicopter reportedly “ditched into the ocean” near the Mimbo platform and the Floating Production Storage and Offloading unit operated by Antan Producing Limited. “All eight persons onboard are feared dead,” she added.
The Marine Division of the Rivers State Police Command, in cooperation with other agencies, is working to recover the wreckage and locate the occupants. “The Rivers State Police Command extends its deepest condolences to the families in this tragic time,” Iringe-Koko said.
Initial reports indicate that the passengers were contract staff for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited though further details are yet to be confirmed.
