At least three people have died in a helicopter crash in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, with five others reported missing, as stated by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. The incident occurred on Thursday around 11:22 a.m. local time (10:22 GMT) in Rivers State, near the Atlantic coast.
The Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, operated by East Wind Aviation, was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the Nuimantan oil rig when it crashed near Finima. Ministry spokesperson Odutayo Oluseyi confirmed that there were eight individuals on board, including the three confirmed fatalities.
Search and rescue efforts are currently underway, with military personnel utilizing low-flying aircraft to locate any survivors. This tragic event adds to a troubling pattern of recent helicopter accidents in the country, prompting growing concerns among aviation safety experts. There is an increasing demand for civil and military aviation authorities to strengthen operational standards and enhance safety regulations to prevent further tragedies.