Three bodies have so far been recovered after an helicopter conveying eight persons to the NUIMS ANTAN Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility was declared missing on Thursday.
The helicopter, with registration number 5NBQG operated by East Winds Aviation was hired by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to convey some of its officials and other personnel to the offshore facility.
Reports said shortly after take off on Thursday from Nigerian Air Force Base in Port Harcourt en route the FPSO, the ground operation team at the airport lost contact with the helicopter at about 11:22 a.m.
A statement by the NNPC Ltd Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed eight persons were on board the helicopter when it took off, consisting (six passengers and two crew members).
Sonoye did not say whether the six passengers were NNPC Ltd officials.
He said following the inability to establish communication with the flight crew of the helicopter, the management of the NNPC Ltd made contacts with the appropriate authorities, including the Ministry of Aviation, to report the development. The Ministry has since issued an official press statement on the incident.
Sonoye said search and rescue missions in the area commissioned to locate the helicopter have so far recovered the bodies of three of the eight victims. He did not disclose the identities of the recovered bodies.
“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 will continue to do everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation,” Sonoye said.
