Nigerian Tugboat Sinks Off South African Coast, One Dead

A Nigerian tugboat sank off the coast of South Africa late Saturday night, leading to the confirmed death of one crew member and the rescue of 12 others. The tugboat, identified as Leo, had 18 people on board and was reportedly traveling to South Africa for repairs when it ran aground 18 nautical miles offshore in stormy waters between Cape Town and Durban.

The Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, disclosed on Monday that the South African Ministry of Transport formally notified Nigerian authorities about the incident. A statement issued in Abuja by the Special Assistant on New Media, Magnu Ez, confirmed the ongoing search and rescue operations for the five missing crew members.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority has informed Nigerian officials about the developments, and the survivors have been conveyed to Port Elizabeth. Further details regarding the recovery efforts are expected as the situation unfolds.