By Ignatius Chukwu
Uncertainty over the fate of the five passengers of the crashed helicopter off Bonny, Rivers State Thursday, October 24, 2024, has raised hopes. This is because many believe that their fate hangs in the balance.
Sources indicate that all the victims have been reached but three confirmed dead. This thus raises hopes on the five.
Details:
Hopes may thus not be totally lost about five passengers of the ill-fated NNPCL helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Bonny coastline Thursday, October 24, 2024.
Though sources in Bonny in Rivers State have maintained tight lips, mood around them indicate that glimmers of hope remain.
This is because the authorities have talked with finality about the three confirmed dead, but remained silent on the other five.
What is clear is that they have found all the eight, said a source in Bonny with close knowledge of the rescue effort. The highest hint so far on the other five is that all the passengers (two crew members and five passengers) have been found.
All afternoon, most persons in Bonny were full of anxiety as they surged from one end of the island to the other. Anxiety developed at about noon when NPA (Nigerian Ports Authority) vehicles moved swiftly racing to the Shell end of the beach.
Some residents began to monitor developments as hints filtered into the island that something was amiss. Hours later, it was clear from the NNPCL via a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, in Abuja. It was found that the helicopter involved in the inciodent is a Sikorsky SK76; registration number: 5NBQG operated by East Winds Aviation.
The company said it lost contact with the helicopter at about 11.22am on Thursday, October 24, 2024, after it airlifted from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Port Harcourt, Rivers State en-route the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) platform – NUIMS ANTAN, off the Bonny coast.
The statement disclosed that search and rescued efforts have ensued and that three bodies have been recovered. Further information is that the fate of the other five still hangs on the balance, but hopes have remained alive.
The NNPCL said it had informed the appropriate authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, which has since issued a press statement.
On its part, the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, in a statement signed by its head, Press and Public Relations, Odutayo Oluseyi, said upon receiving notification, they alerted the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau. He said emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the incident area.
“Neighbouring aerodromes have also been notified for support.
“While no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received, manual efforts to plot the location of the accident are underway, and all available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivor(s). So far, three bodies have been recovered.
“The Honourable Minister of Aviation is actively working with all relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated response and to minimize casualties from this unfortunate incident. Further information will be provided as details emerge.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those on board, and we are committed to providing the necessary support during this difficult time.”
Most agencies, watchers, and newsmen remain alert all evening even as night draws deeper.
$$