Nigerian Tugboat Sinks Off South Africa, One Dead

A Nigerian tugboat named Leo sank off the coast of South Africa late Saturday night, leading to the rescue of 12 crew members and the confirmation of one death. Five crew members remain missing.

The tugboat, which had 18 people on board, was reportedly returning to South Africa for repairs when it ran aground approximately 18 nautical miles offshore in stormy waters between Cape Town and Durban. Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, disclosed on Monday that the South African Ministry of Transport informed Nigerian authorities about the incident.

According to a statement issued in Abuja by Dr. Magnu Ez, the Minister's Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, search operations are ongoing for the five missing persons.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority confirmed the rescue of the crew members and conveyed them to Port Elizabeth. Further details are expected as rescue and recovery efforts continue.