… search, rescue missions currently ongoing- Soneye

Oredola Adeola

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is intensifying search efforts for eight individuals, including six passengers and two crew members, aboard a helicopter registered as 5N-BQG that reportedly crashed in the Gulf of Guinea, with three bodies already recovered and efforts ongoing to locate the remaining five individuals.

Olufemi Soneye, NNPC Ltd’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, confirmed this in a statement obtained by Advisors Reports on Thursday.

According to him, “On the 24th of October 2024, about 11:22am, we lost contact with the Helicopter – Register Number: 5NBQG, engaged by NNPC Limited, that took off from Port Harcourt NAF Base en route the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility– NUIMS ANTAN.

He explained that the helicopter was operated by East Winds Aviation, adding that there were 8 persons on board (6 passengers and 2 crew members).

Soneye revealed that the appropriate authorities have been contacted, including the Ministry of Aviation, who have since issued a press statement.

He said, “Search and rescue missions are currently ongoing. So far, three (3) bodies have been recovered.

Soneye assured that NNPC Limited will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide regular updates as events unfold.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, crew, and their families during this challenging time. We are committed to doing everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue operation,” the NNPC spokesperson stated.

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