NIGERIAN TUGBOAT SINKS IN SOUTH AFRICA: ONE DEAD, 12 SAVED

March 2, 2026

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BY: TAJUDEEN AMINAT

South African authorities have confirmed that 12 crew members were rescued after a Nigerian tugboat sank off the country’s coast late Saturday night. One person has been confirmed dead, while five others remain missing.

The tugboat, named LEO, reportedly had 18 people on board. It was said to have traveled to South Africa for repairs but ran aground about 18 nautical miles offshore in rough waters between Cape Town and Durban while returning to Lagos.

On Monday, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, revealed that the South African Ministry of Transportation had officially notified Nigerian authorities about the incident.

In a statement released in Abuja by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, the minister confirmed one fatality and said search and rescue efforts are ongoing for the five missing crew members.

“The South African Ministry of Transportation informed us of this situation. The South African Maritime Safety Authority also reported that the survivors are being transported to Port Elizabeth, where officials from the Nigerian High Commission are en route to receive them,” the statement said.

Authorities expect to release further updates as rescue and recovery operations continue.