SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 30th March (EUROPA PRESS) –
Two cayucos carrying a total of 221 migrants have reached the Canary Islands since last night. They were rescued by Maritime Rescue after setting off for the islands from an unidentified location on the African coast a few days ago, according to sources from the public organization, 1-1-2 Canarias and Cruz Roja.
Last night, one of the boats was spotted around 9:30 p.m. The Civil Guard notified the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center in Las Palmas about a canoe sailing 3 miles from Arguineguín. Maritime controllers dispatched the Salvamar Macondo, which located the canoe and escorted it to port.
The canoe carried 50 sub-Saharan individuals, including 2 women and 2 potentially underage persons. Upon reaching land, they received assistance from the health system of the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC), Primary Care, and the Red Cross. Fortunately, no one required transfer to health facilities.
The second boat was detected around 06:40 hours when 1-1-2 informed the Maritime Rescue Center in Tenerife about an emergency call from a canoe via an El Hierro repeater. The occupants claimed to see Mount Teide but did not provide their exact location at sea.
Maritime controllers deployed the Helimer 206 helicopter, which spotted the cayuco at approximately 8:00 a.m., just 1 nautical mile from La Restinga. The Adhara sea rescuer departed its base, located the vessel, and escorted it to port. Disembarkation began shortly after 08:30 hours.
A total of 171 individuals were onboard the vessel, including 13 potentially underage persons and 2 women. All those rescued appeared to be in good health, and no transfers to medical facilities were necessary.
