Three people are known to have died in a helicopter crash off the Ghanaian coast during heavy rains on Thursday 8 May 2014. The helicopter, operated by Volta River Aviation crashed on route from Takoradi to the GSF Jack Ryan, a drilling exploration ship which had been chartered by the Russian company Lukoil. Another person is understood to be missing, and four more are being treated in hospital, one of whom is described as being in a critical condition. Local press sources have claimed the helicopter had three Ghanians on board at the time of the crash, plus one French citizen, one Briton and one Nigerian; none of the men are thought to have been employees of Lukoil. The identities of the casualties have not yet been given, though it is understood the missing person is Ghanaian. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
The approximate location of the Jubilee Oil Field. Ghana Oil Watch.
Oil was discovered in the Jubilee Field in 2007, and production began in 2010. This is the first known fatal accident associated with the Ghanaian oil industry. The industry has yet to make a major impact upon the Ghanian economy, where there are both hopes that the revenue it brings will help to bring prosperity to a nation where 25 million people still live in poverty, and fears that it may instead bring the widespread corruption that has been seen in some other African nations.
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