Helicopter ditches into water, kills 3 in Port Harcourt

A tragic helicopter crash off the coast of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has claimed the lives of three individuals, with five others rescued after the aircraft made an emergency water landing. The incident, which occurred at 11:22 AM on Thursday, involved a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, operated by East Wind Aviation, and registered as 5NBQG. The helicopter was en route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the Nuimantan oil rig when it unexpectedly ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.

Despite swift rescue efforts, authorities confirmed that three of the eight individuals on board did not survive the crash. The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, represented by spokesperson Odutayo Oluseyi, noted that the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Channels Television reported that emergency response teams quickly mobilized to the crash site, though efforts to save all passengers were tragically unsuccessful. The crash has raised serious concerns within the aviation industry as investigators focus on determining what led to the emergency landing and the loss of lives. As the investigation continues, updates are expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.