A total of 434 migrants have arrived or are due to arrive in the Canary Islands between Friday afternoon and midday on Saturday, aboard three cayucos and one patera, following four rescue operations carried out by the Maritime Rescue Service in waters near El Hierro and Gran Canaria.
The latest operation took place at 06:00 on Saturday, when the Guardamar Polimnia rescued 69 people travelling on a small boat, including five women, according to details provided to EFE by the Maritime Rescue Service.
Most of its occupants were of North African origin, with some from sub-Saharan Africa.
Canary Islands: Rescue vessels reach Arguineguín and La Restinga
It is due to arrive at the port of Arguineguín at 12:00.
An hour earlier, at 05:00, the Salvamar Navia completed the disembarkation at the port of La Restinga, on El Hierro, of 244 people of sub-Saharan origin who were travelling aboard a cayuco.
The same sources have stated that among them are nine minors and nine women.
El Hierro: 30 migrants rescued after a six-day journey
On Friday night, the Salvamar Diphda rescued a further 30 migrants who were travelling in a cayuco that had come to a standstill near La Restinga.
The operation took place at 22:45 and its occupants, of sub-Saharan origin, were taken to the port of El Hierro.
According to the migrants‘ own accounts, they are said to have made a six-day journey from Senegal.
Sea rescue operation brings a further 91 people to La Restinga
Earlier, at 6.12 pm on Friday, the same vessel had rescued 91 people of sub-Saharan origin who were travelling in another cayuco located some 80 kilometres from El Hierro.
There were 86 men, four women and one minor on board this last boat; they were also disembarked at La Restinga.
One of these people had to be taken to the Nuestra Señora de los Reyes Insular Hospital to receive medical treatment.
According to the account given by those on board, they had set sail from Kartong (Gambia) and had been at sea for seven days.
On board were people from The Gambia, Senegal, Mali and Guinea-Bissau.
The four operations have resulted in a total of 434 people being rescued, according to figures provided by Salvamento Marítimo.
Comments (0)
No comments on this article yet.