The small boat was left adrift on its fourth day of travel after its engine malfunctioned, leading to the tragic loss of multiple lives at sea.
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, June 21 (EUROPA PRESS) –
In a devastating incident, more than 30 migrants lost their lives in a cayuco that was rescued by a cruise ship just over 800 kilometres from the coast of El Hierro. The rescuers found five bodies on board, and another passenger passed away on the ship post-rescue – two bodies had to be left on the boat due to the complexities of the rescue operation.
Officials from the Red Cross, coordinating the rescue operation in the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, revealed to Europa Press that survivors recounted how the canoe set sail from the Mauritanian coast on May 30 and faced engine failure on the fourth day of their journey, leaving them stranded with over 100 individuals on board.
Ultimately, a total of 64 survivors reached Tenerife – the cruise ship was en route from Gambia to the island – including three children aged between 7 and 9. The survivors hailed from sub-Saharan regions, specifically Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Mali, Gambia, and Senegal.
Among the rescued individuals, five required medical attention at various healthcare facilities – three were taken to the Ntra. Sra. de Candelaria University Hospital, while the other two were admitted to the Canary Islands University Hospital (HUC).
Notably, one of the survivors was severely dehydrated, and a pregnant woman was promptly transferred for medical assessment. The remaining survivors exhibited varying degrees of dehydration, ranging from moderate to mild.
