The Nigerian Navy on Monday night rescued 20 crew members after their vessel caught fire along the Calabar Channel. The incident involved Motor Vessel (MV) Chimba Express, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Base Operations Officer, Lt.-Cdr Kelechi Ahunanya.
Ahunanya said the vessel had 21 persons on board, comprising 14 Nigerians and seven Cameroonians. He added that one person remains missing. The ship was en route from Gabon to Calabar, carrying scrap materials and other logistics.
He said the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) OSE, while on routine patrol, responded to a distress call at about 1300 hours. “On arrival, thick smoke was observed emanating from the vessel, prompting immediate rescue operations,” he said.
“Twenty crew members were successfully rescued and administered first aid,” Ahunanya said, adding that the chief engineer reportedly jumped overboard due to fear of an explosion and is still missing. He noted that NNS OSE deployed portable pumps to combat the fire, with support from naval units and fishermen.