The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has intensified efforts to locate five missing individuals following a helicopter crash in the Gulf of Guinea.
The helicopter, registered as 5N-BQG, carried six passengers and two crew members. So far, three bodies have been recovered, and the search for the remaining five continues.
On Thursday, Olufemi Soneye, NNPC Limited’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, confirmed the information in a statement on X.
According to Soneye, “On October 24, 2024, around 11:22 am, we lost contact with the helicopter—Register Number: 5N-BQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, which took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility—NUIMS ANTAN.”
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The helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation, was transporting eight people (six passengers and two crew members).
Soneye added that all appropriate authorities, including the Ministry of Aviation, have been notified and are involved in the ongoing response.
“Search and rescue operations are currently underway, and so far, three bodies have been recovered,” he stated.
NNPCL will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as new information becomes available.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, crew, and their families during this challenging time. We are committed to supporting the ongoing search and rescue operation,” Soneye assured.
