Still No Sign of Missing Persons or Aircraft After 48 Hours of Port Harcourt Helicopter Crash

A Sikorsky SK76 helicopter with registration number 5NBQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation, on October 24, 2024 tragically crashed while en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base to the NUIMANTAN oil rig.

The helicopter was carrying eight individuals, comprising six passengers and two crew members. The incident occurred near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Port Harcourt.

Despite extensive search and rescue operations initiated immediately after the crash, no trace of the missing persons or the aircraft has been found even after 48 hours.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) reported that as of 7:30 AM local time on October 25, 2024, rescue teams resumed their search efforts, expanding the search area in hopes of locating debris or signs of survivors. However, the day's search concluded without any findings.

The NSIB, along with other agencies such as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Armed Forces, continues to investigate the incident. Emergency response teams are actively working to locate survivors, with three bodies recovered so far.

The search operations are supported by neighboring aerodromes, military units, and low-flying aircraft. Despite the absence of an Emergency Locator Transmitter signal, manual efforts to plot the accident's location are underway.

Captain Alex Badeh Jr., Director General of the NSIB, emphasized the commitment to uncovering the circumstances surrounding the accident and urged the public to avoid speculation during this sensitive time. The investigation aims to provide clarity and accountability, ensuring all necessary information is collected to understand the tragic event fully.