A multi-agency maritime agency said that one person was 'presumed dead' and five crew members were reported missing after a tug boat sank near South Africa’s southern coast.

South African Search and Rescue said in a statement that the tug vessel LEO sent a distress message on Saturday at 1702 GMT, "reporting an uncontrolled water intrusion and requesting immediate assistance."

The ship sank around 80 nautical miles south-east of Mossel Bay, in South Africa's Western Cape province.

SASAR reported that "to date, 13 crewmembers have been accounted for, consisting 12 survivors and a?one presumed deceased", adding that there were?18 crew members on the vessel before the incident.

SASAR reported that despite the adverse weather conditions, search operations are continuing for five crew members who have gone missing.

(source: Reuters)