Shortly before this Wednesday afternoon, the Maritime Club observed a small sailing craft in the eastern reaches near Cope. As the vessel drew closer, it became clear that it carried a boatful of immigrants. The crew of the training sailboat Saloma, including the captain and three other crew members, sprang into action. Although the migrants were already distant, they quickly moved to the water as soon as the lifeboat crew spotted them. The salama’s crew managed to reach the distressed group, then guided them aboard and offered them water. The travelers appeared exhausted, and one person showed signs of severe hypothermia, prompting the crew to prioritize care and shelter. Local officials confirmed the urgent care provided by the Saloma crew and noted the severity of the condition among the rescued individuals.
Emergency services were contacted immediately. Civil Guard authorities were alerted to the presence of the improvised boat and to the two individuals who had already been rescued, with the rest still aboard the training vessel. The crew reported that the area was crowded and that swimming ashore would have been difficult since the shoreline was roughly a mile away. The situation at sea remained tense as more people urged to be brought ashore while the attempt to land continued.
Following the initial resupply of water and aid, a Civil Guard helicopter arrived and conducted a hover survey of the area. Ground patrols were deployed alongside the air support to secure the scene. The crew on the Saloma continued the landing maneuver, which heightened the unease among the migrants onboard. Reportedly, a knife was displayed during the confrontation near the vessel’s captain, accentuating the peril on board.
The crew did not relent in their efforts to move toward a safe landing and to deliver the migrants to Civil Guard custody. When it became evident that the migrants could not secure what they sought from the crew, several of them leaped into the water and attempted to reach the shore independently. Once the group neared land, they were detained by the authorities. A Salvamento Marítimo patrol boat soon arrived to assist with the rescue operation, collecting the migrants still aboard and bringing them to safety. Shortly afterward, the sinking craft began taking on water and eventually sank. The rescued individuals were transferred to Escombreras in a coordinated operation that involved troops from Almería and Cartagena, ensuring proper handover and care during the transfer.
The captain of the Saloma agreed to testify later that afternoon at the Civil Guard barracks in Lorca, offering a detailed account of the events. Saloma is among the boats used in the club’s training sessions for the captain’s title and is one of the most recent vessels acquired by the Maritime Club of Águilas. On that day, it was conducting a routine lesson with adult students, demonstrating the ongoing activity and training offered by the club. The boat was one of the last to be released into service as part of the club’s fleet expansion, reflecting the club’s commitment to maintaining practical sailing experiences for its members.