A helicopter with eight people on board made a forced landing at sea off the Bintulu coast today, with a passing vessel rescuing the two pilots and six oil platform workers.

Bintulu Deputy OCPD DSP Mohd Said Ibrahim said bad weather forced the Sikorsky S-76 aircraft, leased by a petroleum company, to make the emergency landing at 7.45am.

The helicopter was on a flight to identify oil and gas exploration sites when the weather condition worsened, he said.

"They were fortunate that a vessel was passing the area and all of them were rescued.

"None of those on board suffered serious injuries," he said when contacted by Bernama, adding that they were sent to a hospital in Miri for general treatment.

On the helicopter, Mohd Said said the aircraft had sunk in the sea and the case was handed over to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for further investigation.

"The case was handed over to the MMEA as the area where the incident took place is under its jurisdiction."  

Bernama, which contacted the MMEA operations room, was told a meeting on the incident was currently in progress.

- Bernama