SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Jan. 7 (EUROPA PRESS) –
Three irregular boats carrying 180 migrants – awaiting the final count – have arrived in the Canary Islands since last midnight after leaving several days ago from somewhere on the African coast, according to Maritime Rescue sources.
The first rescue operation began yesterday afternoon, when the Sasemar 101 plane located a boat sailing more than 50 miles off the Canary Islands coast. The Maritime Rescue Center in Las Palmas mobilized the sea rescuer ‘Macondo’, while the controllers diverted the ship ‘CL Fugou’ to the position, which remained escorting it and updating its course.
At around 8:30 p.m. the crew of the salvamar ‘Macondo’ began the approach and proceeded to rescue the 54 people on board, all of them North Africans. Subsequently, they were disembarked at the Arguineguin dock at 11:10 p.m.
Once on land, they were treated by health personnel from the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC) and by Red Cross volunteers, who provided hygiene kits, clothing, footwear, blankets and food. No transfer to a health center was made.
On the other hand, yesterday afternoon the Civil Guard informed the Maritime Rescue Center in Tenerife of the presence of a canoe about 6 miles south of El Hierro. The sea guard ‘Concepción Arenal’ was mobilized and located it at 8:25 p.m. and proceeded to escort it to La Restinga, where it was disembarked at around 9:00 p.m. There, 87 people were treated (81 men and 6 women), all sub-Saharan. There were also no transfers to
Health centers.
Today, Sunday, shortly before 8:30 a.m., the ship ‘Bencomo Express’ reported to the Maritime Rescue Center in Tenerife of the sighting of a canoe stopped in waters near Los Cristianos.
‘Alpheratz’ was immediately mobilized to rescue the sea, and around 9:30 a.m. it sighted the canoe, which was without steering, so it proceeded to rescue the 39 people who were on board, all of them sub-Saharan men. With the empty canoe in tow she headed towards Los Cristianos, with a scheduled arrival around 10:55 am.
