The South African Transportation authorities have confirmed the rescue of 12 persons from a Nigerian Tugboat that sank in their territory, late Saturday night.
Special Assistant on Communication and News Media, Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Magnus Eze announced this in a statement on Monday.
The Tugboat named LEO with 18 persons on board came to South Africa for repairs but ran aground at 18 nautical miles offshore under stormy waters between Cape town and Durban on its way back to Lagos.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed Monday morning, that the South Africa Ministry of Transportation also said that one person has been confirmed dead, while five are missing.
According to the minister, the search efforts are ongoing.
“The South Africa Ministry of Transportation informed us of this development.
“The South Africa 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,” she said.
Further details will be made available as they unfold.
