At least 12 people have been rescued after a Nigerian-flagged tugboat, LEO, sank off the coast of South Africa late Saturday night.
The vessel, carrying 18 crew members, reportedly encountered severe weather and ran aground approximately 18 nautical miles offshore between Cape Town and Durban while en route to Lagos. The tugboat had been in South Africa for repairs before beginning its return journey to Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, confirmed on Monday that one crew member has been declared dead, while search and rescue operations remain ongoing.
In a statement issued by her media aide, Magnus Eze, the minister disclosed that the South Africa Ministry of Transport formally notified Nigerian authorities of the maritime incident.
She further revealed that the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) had informed the Nigerian government that the rescued crew members were being transported to Port Elizabeth for medical attention and further assistance.
Officials from the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa are reportedly en route to receive the survivors and provide consular support.
As emergency teams continue combing the waters for the remaining crew members, authorities in both countries are working closely to ensure a coordinated response to the tragedy.
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