One dies, five missing as Nigerian tugboat sinks off South African coast
Nigerian National Confirmed Dead After Tugboat Sinks Off South Africa
A Nigerian national has been confirmed dead following the sinking of the tugboat LEO in South African waters on Saturday night. The vessel, which had 18 crew members on board, reportedly capsized after running aground amid severe weather conditions.
Rescue operations successfully saved 12 crew members, while five others remain missing as search efforts continue. The incident was disclosed by Dr. Magnus Eze, the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
According to the statement, South African transport authorities alerted Nigerian officials after the tugboat experienced difficulties approximately 18 nautical miles off the coast between Cape Town and Durban. The LEO was reportedly en route to Lagos after undergoing repairs when it encountered stormy conditions.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu confirmed the fatality and noted that five individuals are still unaccounted for. Survivors are being transported to Port Elizabeth, where officials from the Nigerian High Commission are expected to provide support.
The Nigerian Federal Government is maintaining close contact with South African authorities as efforts to locate the missing crew members intensify. Maritime authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, although severe weather has been cited as a contributing factor.
