In total, 12 vessels have reached the Canary Islands this weekend, carrying 914 migrants.
VALVERDE (EL HIERRO), 29 (EUROPA PRESS)
This Sunday morning, Maritime Rescue intervened to assist a canoe, marking the 12th rescue of the weekend in the Canary Islands, which contained 65 sub-Saharan migrants who had lost propulsion approximately 30 nautical miles – roughly 55.5 kilometres – south of La Restinga (El Hierro).
The sailboat ‘Mon Frere’ was the first to spot the distressed vessel at around 8:25 a.m., reporting that the individuals on board were signalling for assistance.
According to Salvamento, their centre in Tenerife promptly dispatched the Salvamar Acrux and instructed the sailboat to remain in the vicinity to provide updates on their location.
Just after 10:20 a.m., the maritime resource located the canoe, and due to the prevailing weather conditions, decided against towing it, opting instead to commence the rescue of the migrants, all of whom appeared to be in good health.
The rescue vessel then proceeded to La Restinga Pier, with an expected arrival time around 1:00 p.m.
With the addition of this latest craft, there have been a total of 12 rescues so far this weekend – up to 11:00 a.m. this Sunday – resulting in 914 migrants; since last Christmas Day, approximately 2,040 migrants have arrived in the Canary Islands across 32 vessels.
