South Africa: Search underway for 11 missing fishermen after vessel sinks off the coast of Cape Town

Efforts to locate 11 missing fishermen in South Africa are in progress after their vessel sank off the coast of Cape Town, as reported by the fisheries department.

Fortunately, nine fishermen were rescued after managing to deploy an emergency craft.

Fisheries minister Barbara Creecy expressed concern for the missing fishermen and their families, stating, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the missing fishermen and their families as we await news of the search and rescue operation.”

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) activated rescue efforts upon receiving reports of the fishing vessel sinking about 30 nautical miles offshore of the Atlantic Seaboard.

NSRI stated, “A Mayday distress call, intercepted by Telkom Maritime Radio Services at 1530 (local time), was relayed to vessels in the area that responded to assist.”

At least five fishing vessels responded to the distress call and managed to recover nine of the 20 local fishermen from a life raft.

The cause of the vessel sinking remains unknown, as mentioned by the NSRI.

Source-Reuters