Tugboats working for the iron ore miner in Sierra Leone, London Mining rescued 11 people from rough seas after their canoe sank off the Freetown harbour at about 8pm on 22 June.
According to a press release from the company’s public relations firm, the operation lasted nearly an hour following a distress call put through to the LAMNALCO tugboats, stationed off the harbour, by London Mining staff on board MV Ionian Eagle, the company’s export vessel.
“We immediately cast off and proceeded to the scene rescuing the passengers and bringing them safely on board our boats,” the tugboat master said. “Two tugboats were involved in the rescue - one pulling five people from the sea, with the other rescuing six.”
The rescue team also alerted the Sierra Leone Ports Authority and an ambulance was provided at the Freetown Port to take the victims for medical treatment.
