One crew member has been confirmed dead and five others remain missing after a Nigerian tugboat sank off the coast of South Africa on Saturday night.
Gatekeepers News reports that South African authorities rescued 12 crew members from the vessel, identified as LEO, which reportedly encountered trouble during its return voyage to Lagos.
The tugboat had travelled to South Africa for repairs but ran aground in stormy waters about 18 nautical miles offshore between Cape Town and Durban.
The vessel was said to be carrying 18 persons at the time of the incident. While 12 have been rescued and one fatality confirmed, search efforts are ongoing for the remaining five crew members.
In a statement issued on Monday, Bianca Odumegwu–Ojukwu, minister of state for foreign affairs, said the South Africa Ministry of Transportation had formally notified Nigerian authorities of the development.
“The South Africa Ministry of Transportation informed us of this development,” the statement reads.
She added that rescue operations are still underway.
“The South African Maritime Safety Authority has also informed that survivors are presently being conveyed to Port Elizabeth, where officials from the Nigeria High Commission are on their way to receive them. Further details will be available as they unfold.”
Survivors are being transported to Port Elizabeth, where Nigerian diplomatic officials are expected to receive them.
