The Nigerian Navy successfully rescued 20 crew members from a cargo vessel that caught fire in the Calabar Channel on Monday, highlighting the Navy’s swift response to maritime emergencies.
The vessel, identified as MV Chimba Express, was en route from Gabon to Calabar carrying scrap materials when a fire broke out on board around 1:00 p.m. Thick smoke was reported billowing from the ship, prompting a distress call that was immediately answered by NNS OSE, a Nigerian Navy patrol vessel.
According to officials, there were 21 people on board, including 14 Nigerians and 7 Cameroonians. 20 crew members were successfully rescued, receiving immediate first aid from naval personnel. One individual, reportedly the Chief Engineer, remains missing, believed to have jumped overboard in fear of an explosion. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
The operation was coordinated with personnel from the Forward Operating Base Ibaka, the Naval Security Station 030 Houseboat, and local fishermen, with portable pumps deployed to control the fire affecting the midship and aft sections of the vessel.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring maritime safety and rapid response to emergencies along the nation’s waterways. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and are coordinating further search efforts for the missing crew member. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.