SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Jan. 7 (EUROPA PRESS) –
This Sunday, Maritime Rescue intercepted two other irregular vessels sailing towards the Canary Islands and also rescued a North African person who was drifting on a truck tire.
The rescue operation of one of the boats began around 1:15 p.m., when the Civil Guard reported a radar echo, a possible cayuco or patera, sailing 13 miles south of Gran Canaria.
The Maritime Rescue Center in Las Palmas mobilized the ‘Macondo’ rescue boat, which minutes after 2:00 p.m. located the canoe and proceeded to accompany it to the Arguineguín dock, in the municipality of Mogán.
On the other hand, at around 1:35 p.m., helicopter 204 located a boat sailing about 20 miles south of Fuerteventura. The Maritime Rescue Center in Las Palmas mobilized the sea rescuer ‘Izar’, which headed to the area while the helicopter updated its position.
At around 2:00 p.m., Salvamar reported that it had located the vessel and was proceeding with an approach maneuver. Minutes later she reported that she had rescued the 51 people on board, all sub-Saharan men, and transferred them to the port of Gran Tarajal.
The rescuer ‘Izar’ reported that on the way she had sighted and picked up a person of North African origin who was drifting on a truck tire.