Gabon-Bound Cargo Vessel Catches Fire in Calabar Channel, 20 Crew Members Rescued

Story: written by Joseph December 24,2025
A seagoing cargo vessel sailing from Gabon was gutted by fire on Tuesday morning while navigating the Calabar Channel, prompting an emergency rescue operation by the Nigerian Navy.

The vessel, identified as MV Chimba Express, was reportedly transporting scrap materials and other logistics from Gabon to Calabar when it sent out a distress signal during the voyage.

Responding swiftly, personnel aboard the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) OSE, which was on routine patrol, arrived at the scene and successfully rescued all 20 crew members onboard. The rescued seafarers comprised 14 Nigerians and six Cameroonians.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Base Operations Officer of Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY, Lieutenant Commander Kelechi Ahunanya, explained that NNS OSE received the distress alert at about 1:00 p.m.

He said naval operatives encountered heavy smoke rising from the vessel on arrival and immediately commenced rescue efforts.

According to the statement, crew members who had jumped into the water as well as those trapped on the deck were pulled to safety with the aid of life buoys. All 20 rescued sailors were given first aid after being brought onboard the naval ship.

Ahunanya, however, disclosed that the vessel’s Chief Engineer, who reportedly leapt into the sea over fears of a possible explosion, is suspected to be missing and possibly dead, adding that search and rescue operations were still underway.

The rescue mission was carried out with support from personnel of the Forward Operating Base Ibaka, Naval Security Station 030 Houseboat, and local fishermen in the area.