A cargo vessel from India has been quarantined at the Durban habour after 14 crew members tested positive for COVID-19, reports said on Tuesday.
According to IOL, a spokesperson for Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) said the chief engineer of the Eaubonne vessel died of heart attack at the Port of Durban on Sunday.
The vessel sailed from India 17 days ago.
“The Filipino crewed vessel was a 17-day direct sail from India to the Port of Durban and, as a requirement for the next port of call, all crew members from the vessel were tested for Covid-19 and cleared.
“Upon arrival at the Port of Durban, as a standard precautionary measure, all crew members were tested and 14 of the crew tested positive for COVID-19. The entire vessel is currently in quarantine at the Port of Durban, as per COVID-19 regulations,” the report quoted Transnet as saying.
Meanwhile, a News24 report said another vessel from Kenya was also under quarantine at the port of Gqeberha in Eastern Cape for the same reason.
The cargo vessel from Mombasa was destined for India. It was placed under quarantine after 14 crew members tested positive for COVID-19, the report said.
A vessel master could be facing charges after allegedly failing to disclose that a crew member was ill, said the report.
Picture: Cape Town etc gallery