By Mercy Peter
No fewer than Twelve crew members have been rescued following the sinking of a Nigerian tug boat in the territorial waters of South Africa, with one fatality confirmed and five others still unaccounted for.
The vessel, identified as LEO, was carrying 18 persons on board. It had reportedly traveled to South Africa for repairs and was on its return journey to Lagos when it encountered severe weather conditions.
The boat ran aground about 18 nautical miles offshore between Cape Town and Durban amid stormy seas late Saturday night.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed the development in Abuja on Monday, stating that the information was relayed by South African authorities.
According to her, the South African Ministry of Transportation confirmed that 12 individuals were successfully rescued from the wreckage. However, one crew member has been confirmed dead, while search-and-rescue operations remain ongoing to locate the five missing persons.
She further noted that the South African Maritime Safety Authority is coordinating emergency response efforts and has conveyed the survivors to Port Elizabeth. Officials of the Nigeria High Commission in South Africa are reportedly en route to receive the rescued crew members and provide necessary consular assistance.
