Eight people, including six oil workers and two crew members, are feared dead after a helicopter crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Akwa Ibom State. The tragic incident occurred on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at approximately 11:40 am local time.
According to sources, the victims were working at the OML 123 oil field when the helicopter, belonging to Eastwind Aviation, ditched and nosedived into the ocean. They had been operating at the Mimbo platform and the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel just before the crash.
Three bodies have been recovered so far, but the fate of the other five individuals remains unknown. Search and rescue operations are currently underway to locate any survivors or recover the remaining bodies.
“We are deeply saddened by this devastating accident and our thoughts are with the families of those involved,” stated a spokesperson for the oil company operating the field. “We are working closely with authorities and Eastwind Aviation to determine the cause of the crash and provide all necessary support.”
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has launched an investigation into the incident. Experts will be analyzing the helicopter’s black box and examining maintenance records to uncover any potential factors that may have contributed to the crash.
The identities of the victims have not been released pending notification of their families. The search and rescue mission continues, with hopes diminishing for finding any survivors.
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