Three persons have been confirmed dead after a helicopter ditched into the waters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Channels Television reports that the accident occurred at 11:22 am on Thursday, along the waterways in Port Harcourt.

The helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was en route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the Nuimantan oil rig.

A total of eight persons were on board, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi.

The aircraft ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean, the authorities said, adding that rescue efforts have been activated.