South African maritime authorities have rescued 12 crew members after a Nigerian tugboat sank in stormy waters off the country’s coast.
The vessel, identified as LEO, had 18 persons on board and reportedly ran aground about 18 nautical miles offshore between Cape Town and Durban while returning to Lagos after undergoing repairs in South Africa.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, confirmed that one crew member has been found dead, while five others remain missing.
She said search and rescue operations are ongoing.
According to the minister, the South Africa Ministry of Transport and the South African Maritime Safety Authority are coordinating the response.
Survivors are being transported to Port Elizabeth, where officials of the Nigerian High Commission are expected to receive them.
Nigerian authorities say they are closely monitoring the situation and working with their South African counterparts to ensure the safety and welfare of the affected crew members.
