‘There were no fatalities after our helicopter made an emergency landing’ — Ghana Airforce

A helicopter operated by the Ghana Air Force made an emergency landing near Agona Nkwanta in the Western region of Ghana.

All passengers emerged without physical injuries, according to the Ghana Airforce.

The GHF 696 helicopter had been conducting a routine offshore inspection of power lines at the Atuabo gas plant for the Ghana National Gas Company when the incident occurred around 12:30pm.

On board were 21 people, including gas company staff and aircrew members.

"The helicopter...made an emergency landing within the general areas of Bonsukrom near Agona Nkwanta," said Brigadier General E Aggrey-Quashie, Director General of Public Relations for the Ghana Armed Forces, in a statement.

According to the statement, "All passengers on board have been accounted for and there were no fatalities."

It reported that the passengers had been evacuated from the scene and "are currently undergoing routine medical checkup."

The Ghana Airforce has begun a "preliminary assessment...to ascertain the cause of the incident."

Local eyewitnesses reported seeing the helicopter make an abrupt landing in a bush near Bonsokrom.