The South African government has expressed condolences to Nigeria following a maritime tragedy off Mossel Bay where one crew member died and five remain missing from the Nigerian vessel, MW Leo.
The South African Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, along with Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa, has expressed heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian government and the families of the crew members involved in the tragic sinking of the MW Leo near Mossel Bay. This incident resulted in one confirmed death and five crew members still missing, with twelve crew members rescued alive. The MW Leo, which had a total of 18 crew members, was registered under the Comoros flag and was reported to have signaled distress due to uncontrolled water intake before the sinking.
Creecy and Hlengwa communicated their sorrow directly to High Commissioner Tope Ajayi, acknowledging the profound impact of this maritime disaster on the families affected. They highlighted the swift response from South African authorities in rescuing some of the crew members out of the water and expressed urgency in locating the missing individuals. The South African Department of Transport stressed the importance of ongoing search and rescue efforts, underlining the solidarity between South Africa and Nigeria.
This incident not only affects the personal lives of those involved but also raises broader questions regarding maritime safety regulations and the conditions of vessels operating off the coast of South Africa. The South African government’s prompt response and expressions of support reflect the diplomatic relations between the two nations, emphasizing a commitment to collaborate in times of tragedy.
