A routine return voyage turned tragic after a violent storm swallowed a Nigerian-owned tugboat off South Africa’s coast.
The vessel, identified as LEO, was heading back to Lagos with 18 people onboard when it ran into turbulent weather about 18 nautical miles offshore along the busy Cape Town–Durban corridor late Saturday night. The tug had reportedly travelled to South Africa for technical servicing before the ill-fated return trip.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, confirmed the sinking on Monday, saying the Nigerian government was notified by South African authorities. One crew member has been confirmed dead, 12 rescued, while five remain missing as search-and-rescue efforts continue.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority is coordinating the emergency response. Survivors are being transported to Port Elizabeth, where officials from the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa are set to receive them and provide consular support.
The southern maritime belt is known for sudden weather shifts and heavy swells, conditions experts say can overwhelm medium-sized vessels — particularly those navigating after mechanical work.
Back in Nigeria, families of the crew are anxiously awaiting updates. Maritime stakeholders say the tragedy raises fresh concerns about seaworthiness checks, storm preparedness, and real-time weather monitoring along high-risk international routes.
Search operations are ongoing as authorities work to locate the missing crew and piece together what went wrong.
Leave a comment