The South African transportation authorities have confirmed the rescue of 12 persons from a Nigerian tug boat that sank in their waters late Saturday night, while one person has been confirmed dead and five others remain missing.
The tug boat, identified as LEO, reportedly encountered stormy weather and ran aground about 18 nautical miles offshore between Cape Town and Durban while returning to Lagos after undergoing repairs in South Africa.
Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Dr Magnus Eze, disclosed that the vessel had 18 persons on board at the time of the incident.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in a statement on Monday, said the South African Ministry of Transportation officially notified the Nigerian government of the development.
According to her, the South African Maritime Safety Authority is currently coordinating ongoing search and rescue efforts to locate the five missing persons.
She added that the rescued survivors are being conveyed to Port Elizabeth, where officials of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa are already mobilising to receive them and provide necessary consular assistance.
The South African Ministry of Transportation informed us of this development. The South African Maritime Safety Authority also confirmed that the survivors are being taken to Port Elizabeth, where Nigerian High Commission officials are on their way to receive them,” the minister said.
She assured that the Federal Government is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to engage South African authorities to ensure the safety and welfare of the affected Nigerians.
Further details are expected as rescue operations continue.
