A sea going vessel from Gabon was engulfed in fire Tuesday morning in the Calabar Channel.
Reports said the vessel, MV Chimba Express, was conveying scrap materials and other logistics from Gabon.
The vessel had sent a distress call en route from Gabon to Calabar.
The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS OSE was on hand where they rescued the 20 crew members who included 14 Nigerians and six Cameroonians, from the burning vessel.
A statement issued by the Base Operations Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY, Lieutenant Commander Kelechi Ahunanya on Tuesday clarified that NNS OSE was on routine patrol when she received the distress call at about 1:00pm.
The statement said upon arrival at the scene, thick smoke was observed billowing from the vessel, prompting immediate rescue operations by naval personnel.
“Crew members who had abandoned the vessel, as well as those stranded on deck, were rescued using life buoys,” the statement read.
“20 crew members were successfully rescued and administered with first aid.
Ahunanya noted that the Chief Engineer of the vessel, who reportedly jumped into the water for fear of an explosion, is feared to have died, but that search and rescue operations were ongoing.
The statement disclosed that personnel from Forward Operating Base Ibaka, Naval Security Station 030 Houseboat, and local fishermen supported the rescue operation.
Vessel from Gabon razed down inside Calabar Channel, 20 sea men rescued
