The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday responded to the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight individuals, including crew members.
The helicopter, which took off from Port Harcourt bound for an oil rig, disappeared over the Bight of Benin around 14:00. Initial reports suggested it had crashed near Uyo, prompting NEMA’s Uyo Operation Office to mobilize search and rescue teams.
Later, with assistance from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the crash site was pinpointed near Bonny Island in Rivers State. Following the discovery, NEMA’s South-South Zonal Office coordinated a multi-agency response, including the Military Disaster Response Unit from the Airforce Base. By 16:30, the wreckage was located, three bodies were recovered.
SITREP as at this afternoon, NEMA is collaborating with the Nigerian Air Force in an on-going search and rescue efforts to locate the remaining 5 persons on board the ill fated helicopter and recover their bodies from the sea.
