Just In: Three bodies recovered after a helicopter carrying NNPCL officials crashes in Rivers State

At least three persons have been confirmed dead after a chopper ferrying employees of Nigeria’s oil company, NNPC, crashed minutes after departing the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to an oil rig on Thursday.

The helicopter, with eight persons onboard, including the crew, crashed around 11:22 a.m. into “the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean,” a statement by the Ministry of Aviation said Thursday evening.

The chopper, which crashed mid-air, was missing alongside passengers and crew members, but NNPCL says three bodies have been recovered while search was underway to locate the remaining persons.

“Search and rescue missions are currently ongoing. So far, three (3) bodies have been recovered,” a statement by NNPCL spokesperson Femi Soneye said on Thursday. “We shall continue to monitor the situation and provide regular updates as the events unfold.”

The aviation ministry said the helicopter was a Sikorsky SK76 registered as 5NBQG and “operated by East Wind Aviation”, noting that it was en route to the NUIMANTAN oil rig when the accident occurred.