OPHELIA

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The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) to make sure that captain and crew are prosecuted

The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) was exerting all efforts in making sure that the captain and crew members of the 'Ophelia' who allegedly threw more than a dozen people overboard are apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with Liberian and international laws. The incident involved about 14 stowaways claiming to be Nigerians who were found hidden on the ship. hey had boarded the vessel illegally while it was berthed at Warri on Sep 7. The crew found all 14 of them on Sep 10 as the vessel was underway off Liberia. Two of the stowaways have died following their discovery. The remaining 12 individuals were later picked up out of the water by the crews of some Liberian fishing boats. The LiMA has initiated a full investigation of the incident to ensure everyone involved is made to account. Other agencies of the Government of Liberia, including the Liberia Immigration Service, are also currently conducting a full-scale investigation.

Investigation into alleged killing of stowaways

The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) has pledged to investigate the incident in which the captain and other crew members of the 'Ophelia' reportedly killed two Nigerian stowaways. The victims were identified as the two Nigerians Frank and Osas Velurobo. About a dozen others were thrown into the sea, but escaped and were rescued by fishermen at Gbanken Beach, Grand Kru town. They had illegally boarded the vessel at Delta Port, Warri on Sep 7, with the aim of escaping to Japan. The survivors attributed their grim voyage to the harsh economic situation they faced in their country. Among those rescued were Emmanuel Beal, Mike Wilson, Precious Uwalogho, Igiebo Stephen, Soumo Yoel, and Temeta Adebiyi Adewale, among others. They alleged that the captain and his crew subjected them to severe torture by spilling chemicals on them, affirming that their two colleagues met their demise after they absconded from the ship and went into the open ocean.

Two stowaways killed by crew, remainder went over board

12 Nigerian stowaways had to escape from the 'Ophelia' on Sep 10, 2022, when the ship was sailing along the Liberian coast, en route from Lagos to Orinoco. On the whole 14 stowaways had hided on board, two were allegedly killed by Chinese crew member after they were found. The rest jumped into water or were thrown overboard. Six of them swam to the shore and notified the Joint Security Task Force in Grand Kru, Chris Teah, the other six were rescued by a Joint Security Task Force. The ship’s AIS is off since Sep 9. The details of the incident remained sketchy. The Nigerians were discovered in the ship after they were banging to request food from the crew. They had spent five days without food and water after the departure from Lagos. The crew then sprayed hot water on them, and two of their colleagues were killed.