The remains of three passengers onboard a Sikorsky SK76 which crashed in Rivers State on Thursday have been recovered.
It was gathered that the helicopter operated by East Wind Aviation crashed along the waterways near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.
The helicopter which had eight passengers on board was coming from the Port Harcourt Military Base to the NUIMANTAN oil rig.
The minister of aviation and aerospace development, Mr Festus Keyamo, confirmed the development in a statement by the spokesman for the ministry, Mr Odutayo Oluseyi.
The minister said the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and all the relevant agencies had been notified.
Keyamo added that he “is actively working with all relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated response and to minimise casualties from this unfortunate incident.”
The statement reads: “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. Further information will be provided as details emerge,” Keyamo said.
Keyamo condoled with the family of those on board the ill-fated aircraft.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those on board, and we are committed to providing the necessary support during this difficult time,” he said.
