The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announced on Saturday that the search for a missing helicopter and three unaccounted-for passengers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, continues without success.
Over 48 hours after the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, crashed en route to the FPSO—NUIMS ANTAN, the search teams have yet to locate debris or any signs of survivors.
In an official statement, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs, Bimbo Oladeji, explained that rescue operations resumed early Saturday morning, expanding the search area in hopes of locating the crash site.
“At 7:30 a.m., local time, rescue teams resumed search operations in line with global best practices,” she stated.
However, as daylight faded, no findings were reported, and the team left the site without success.
The helicopter, registered as 5NBQG, was carrying six passengers and two crew members when it went down.
The NSIB noted that investigators from the bureau, along with representatives from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, visited the Nuim Antan facility on Saturday to interview key staff for insights into the incident.
The team concluded their enquiries and departed the facility by mid-afternoon.
As the day’s search operations came to a close at approximately 6:15 p.m. due to diminishing light, divers secured a designated area at the expected crash site, measuring a depth of 40–50 metres.
Additional diving resources are being mobilised to aid in the upcoming searches.
The NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh, acknowledged the commitment of the search teams, stating, “We recognise the relentless efforts of the rescue teams and our partners. We will persist with every resource available and appreciate the continued cooperation and patience of all stakeholders.”
