By Akinwale Kasali
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, on Monday disclosed that the South African Ministry of Transportation has formally notified Nigerian authorities of the sinking of a Nigerian Tugboat that led to the death of one Nigerian. The South African authorities rescued 12 crew members. Five members missing. The Nigerian tugboat sank off the country’s coast late Saturday night.
The tugboat, identified as LEO, had 18 persons on board. It had, reportedly, travelled to South Africa for repairs but ran aground about 18 nautical miles offshore in stormy waters between Cape Town and Durban while on its return voyage to Lagos.
In a statement issued in Abuja by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, the Minister said one fatality had been recorded, while search and rescue operations were ongoing for the five missing crew members.
“The South Africa Ministry of Transportation informed us of this development.
“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,” the statement quoted the Minister as saying.
It further added that the details of the rescue mission of the missing five persons are expected, as recovery efforts intensifies.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
