In Menorca, a mid-aged foreign national died this afternoon after a vessel sank near the island. Seven other people were injured, all showing signs of hypothermia after drifting for an extended period following the boat’s failure, which is believed to have suffered a water leak.
Word of the incident arrived around 2 p.m. yesterday. Maritime Rescue received a call for help as crew members on a sinking boat required urgent assistance.
The Palma-based Rescue helicopter lifted off immediately, heading to the reported area. Upon arrival, the crew had already abandoned the vessel and were adrift, all wearing life jackets.
The helicopter was able to rescue five crew members. The remaining two were picked up by a nearby vessel that responded to the distress signal.
The crew, including several young children, were transported to the Mateu Orfila hospital in Menorca. At the hospital, authorities confirmed one of the injured had died. The others received care for the cold exposure suffered while in the water before rescue.
Local authorities are investigating the incident. Officials aim to recover the boat, currently a short distance off the coast, to determine the cause of the sinking. A surviving crew member said water ingress aboard the vessel led to rapid flooding, forcing the crew to abandon ship and await rescue.
In the meantime, authorities continue to gather details from witnesses and examine the vessel once it is recovered. The incident underscores the dangers of sudden maritime distress and the importance of swift emergency response in cold sea conditions. [Source: Maritime Rescue and local authorities]