Tugboat Tragedy off South Africa: 1 Dead, 5 Missing

Under the coordination of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), two commercial vessels and a fishing boat are continuing search efforts for the missing crew of a tugboat that sank off the coast of South Africa. Initial reports indicate that 12 people have been rescued, one person has died, and five others are still missing.

The emergency signal reached the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at Cape Two around 19:00 on Saturday, February 28. The crew of the tugboat named 'Leo' reported that the vessel had begun taking on water uncontrollably.

Some sources suggest that the tugboat, located approximately 18 nautical miles off the coastline between Cape Town and Durban, may have run aground during a severe storm. SAMSA stated that the last reported position of the vessel was approximately 80 nautical miles south of Mossel Bay.

It was reported that the 18-person crew aboard the tugboat was preparing to board four lifeboats before the vessel sank in the early hours of Sunday, March 1. However, the challenging weather and sea conditions severely hampered evacuation and subsequent search efforts.

SAMSA announced that all available resources, including helicopters, have been mobilized. The area is already known among sailors as a challenging route due to sudden storms and strong currents.

According to reports, the tugboat was registered under the Nigerian flag and was in South Africa for repair purposes. It was stated that the accident occurred as it was beginning its journey back to Lagos.

The 12 rescued sailors have been transferred to Port Elizabeth. The Nigerian government has been informed about the incident, and it was announced that a Nigerian representative is present in Port Elizabeth to meet with the survivors and provide support.

Search and rescue teams are continuing their efforts to reach the five missing crew members. The sea, however, has not yet calmed down.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye