In recent hours, reports from Maritime Rescue indicate that five boats were involved, with a total of 352 people. Among them, 45 minors received assistance and were escorted toward ports. The events unfolded off the coast of the Canary Islands, including Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, and El Hierro, as confirmed by a state spokesperson from Maritime Rescue to EFE.
Guardamar Polimnia arrived at Puerto del Rosario with 48 individuals of Sub-Saharan and Maghreb origin. The group consisted of 35 men, 9 women, and 4 children who admitted they had left their home country. They were located 87 kilometers northeast of Fuerteventura’s capital, and were brought ashore to safety along the coastline where rescuers provided immediate medical checks and basic care as part of ongoing humanitarian operations.
Later, Helimer 204 and Salvamar Al Nair identified another vessel carrying 52 people of Maghreb origin, including 46 men and 6 women, which reached the shores near Arrecife, approximately 5 kilometers north of Lanzarote. The swift response ensured that those on board were assessed and supported as they disembarked under the watchful eye of rescue crews who coordinated at-sea and on the port side.
Polyhymnia then managed an expedition involving 54 people of North African descent, including 50 men and 4 women. The group was located about 15 kilometers from Lanzarote and subsequently landed at the island’s capital, where authorities organized immediate assistance and post-arrival checks as part of standard operating procedures.
in Tenerife
Off the southern coast of Tenerife, Salvamar Alpheratz detected a SIVE echo approximately 15 kilometers south of Punta Rasca, identifying a cayuco with 133 people of Sub-Saharan origin, divided into 86 men, 6 women, and 41 children. The vessel was escorted to the port of Los Cristianos, where shore-based teams provided evaluation and essential care.
Meanwhile, Salvamar Adhara continued the day’s mission near El Hierro, confirming a fifth vessel identified by SIVE at a distance of around 22 kilometers. This cayuco hosted 65 individuals of Sub-Saharan origin, comprised of 64 men and one woman, who were all brought safely to shore under the supervision of the rescue coordination personnel.