SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 20th Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
In a daring rescue operation, Maritime Rescue managed to save a boat carrying around 50-60 individuals, including 10 women and 3 minors, who were en route to the Canary Islands. Tragically, two individuals lost their lives and were thrown into the sea during the journey. Sources from the public entity have indicated that efforts are now underway to locate a second vessel.
The operation kicked off this morning upon reception of a distress call by the Maritime Rescue Centre in Las Palmas, alerting them that multiple boats had departed from the Moroccan town of Tan Tan. Consequently, the Sasemar 103 aircraft was deployed, successfully pinpointing various overloaded boats heading towards the Canary Islands from different directions.
Without delay, Maritime Rescue sprang into action, dispatching the lifeboat ‘Al Nair’ and the marine patrol vessel ‘Talía’. The latter made its way towards the first boat while the ship ‘Adnan N’, directed to the location by maritime controllers, also responded to the distress signal.
Upon arrival, the ship reported a sighting of a boat located one mile ahead. Subsequently, the Rescue Centre instructed it to maintain a safe distance and escort the vessel until the marine patrol vessel ‘Talía’ arrived on the scene.
By approximately 18:00, the marine patrol vessel had successfully rescued all passengers on board, estimated to be between 50 and 60 individuals. Some had to be pulled from the water during the operation, but fortunately, all those rescued appeared to be in stable health. Tragically, two casualties were reported during the harrowing journey.
Simultaneously, the rescue boat ‘Al Nair’ proceeded towards the location of the second vessel, with the vessel ‘Sarika Naree’ previously directed by controllers. Upon reaching the designated spot, no sighting was made, a similar circumstance encountered by the vessel ‘Sarika Narre’. Both vessels are currently continuing the search operation.
Following the successful first rescue mission, the lifeboat ‘Talia’ steered towards the location of the lifeboat ‘Al Nair’, standing by in case assistance was required for the subsequent rescue operation.
