- The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation and carrying eight individuals, went down off the coast of Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean on October 24, 2024.
- The ministry of aviation and aerospace development confirmed that three bodies were recovered, while search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate the remaining passengers.
The federal government has announced the discovery of the helicopter wreckage that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean last Thursday.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo shared the update on X Thursday evening, stating, “The latest update on the helicopter crash is that the wreckage of the helicopter has been found at the bed of the ocean.”
Recall that the helicopter, carrying oil workers, was involved in the crash.
Five of the eight passengers and crew members were found on separate days, but the status of the remaining three victims remains unclear.
Bimbo Oladeji, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau spokesperson, stated, “The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation and carrying eight individuals, went down off the coast of Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean on October 24, 2024.”
Oladeji confirmed the wreckage was located Wednesday night, approximately 0.775 nautical miles from FPSO Adoon.
“The wreckage was identified during last night’s recovery dives, approximately 0.775 nautical miles from the FPSO Adoon. It was located at a depth of 42 meters, with coordinates registered at Latitude 04° 13.634′ N and Longitude 008° 19.442′ E. Preparations are currently underway for the helicopter’s recovery to support further investigation,” she wrote.
The statement did not indicate whether the bodies of the remaining three victims had been recovered.