Twelve crew members have been rescued and one confirmed dead after a Nigerian tugboat, LEO, sank in turbulent waters off the South African coast late Saturday night. Five others remain missing as search-and-rescue operations continue.
The vessel, which had reportedly undergone repairs in South Africa, was en route to Lagos with 18 persons on board when it encountered severe storm conditions approximately 18 nautical miles offshore along the corridor between Cape Town and Durban. Rough seas forced the tug aground before it eventually went under.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, confirmed the incident on Monday, stating that South African authorities had formally notified the Nigerian government.
According to the minister, one fatality has been recorded, while five crew members remain unaccounted for. She disclosed that the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is coordinating rescue operations. Survivors are being transported to Port Elizabeth, where officials of the Nigerian High Commission are expected to receive them and provide consular assistance.
Maritime experts note that the southern sea corridor between Cape Town and Durban is known for volatile weather patterns, strong currents and heavy swells, particularly during storm activity, posing heightened risks to vessels—especially those navigating shortly after mechanical servicing.
While efforts remain focused on locating the missing crew members, the incident is likely to prompt scrutiny of the vessel’s seaworthiness, prevailing weather advisories at the time of departure, and whether distress signals were transmitted promptly.
The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa is working closely with local authorities to support the rescued crew and liaise with families in Nigeria.
Further updates are expected as rescue efforts progress and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the sinking continue.
