At least 54 immigrants died in the last hours in the vicinity of the Canary Islandsafter the shipwrecks of three precarious boats that left in recent weeks of the African continent.
In the first incident, 48 immigrants died and another ten were rescued alive by a merchant ship south of the Canary Island of El Hierro (Atlántico), after a barge that left from the north of Mauritania towards the Canary Islands almost three weeks ago sank. with 58 people on board.
Rescue in the Canary Islands
The rescue occurred this Saturday by a merchant ship that was in those waters and which notified Spanish Maritime Rescue, which arrived with a ship in the early hours of Sunday.
By then, the crew had transferred all the survivors to the merchant ship, ten in total, all adult males from Senegal, Mali and Mauritania, who reported that they left Nouadhibou (Mauritania) on October 14, so that they had been in the port for 19 days. the sea, the last three without motor.
On the way, the bodies of the companions who died were thrown overboard, 48 according to their own count, as sources from the emergency services detailed to EFE.
The survivors arrived at the port of La Restinga (El Hierro) this Sunday, where they were treated for dehydration, altered consciousness, fever and breathing difficulties by the Red Cross and the Canary Islands Emergency Service.
Four of them were admitted to the hospital.
The rescue services managed to save 54 people, some of them at sea, and recovered the body of one of its occupants.
In addition, one of the migrants who arrived in El Hierro on Saturday on another barge with 180 occupants died in the hospital on that island.
Maritime Rescue actions this weekend on the Canary Islands route exceed twenty and the people rescued are more than 1,600.
Since the beginning of the year and until October 1, 30,808 people arrived in the Canary Islands in precarious boats from the Atlantic coast of Africa, crossing one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world, with the aim of setting foot on European soil. .
EFE
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**Interview with Maria Rodriguez, Humanitarian Aid Worker**
**Interviewer:** Maria, thank you for joining us today. The news from the Canary Islands is heartbreaking. Can you share how this latest tragedy fits into the broader context of migrant journeys across the Mediterranean?
**Maria Rodriguez:** Thank you for having me. Unfortunately, this incident is part of a troubling trend. Many migrants risk their lives on perilous sea journeys, fleeing war, poverty, and persecution in their home countries. The Canary Islands have become a focal point for these desperate attempts to find safety in Europe, but the journey is fraught with danger.
**Interviewer:** What do we know about the conditions these migrants faced before their vessels capsized?
**Maria Rodriguez:** Reports indicate that the boats are often overcrowded, ill-equipped, and not meant for such long journeys. In this case, the barge that sank had 58 people on board but was not equipped to handle the rough conditions at sea. The lack of operational resources and assistance further exacerbates their vulnerability.
**Interviewer:** It’s reported that a merchant ship was instrumental in rescuing some survivors. What role do commercial vessels typically play in these situations?
**Maria Rodriguez:** Commercial vessels can be lifesavers in these waters. When they spot distressed boats, they often assist by rescuing survivors and alerting maritime authorities. However, this is not a substitute for a comprehensive approach to search and rescue operations. We need more coordinated efforts and resources dedicated to ensuring the safety of migrants.
**Interviewer:** What steps can the international community take to address the ongoing migrant crisis in the Mediterranean and surrounding areas?
**Maria Rodriguez:** First, we need humane policies that recognize the rights of migrants and refugees. This includes safe and legal pathways for migration, increased support for frontline countries, and more robust search and rescue operations at sea. It’s also crucial to address the root causes that drive people to leave their homes in the first place—like conflict and economic instability.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Maria, for your insights. It’s essential to keep these conversations going as we seek to understand and address the complexities of migration.
**Maria Rodriguez:** Thank you. It’s vital that we raise awareness and advocate for change, as every life lost is a tragedy we must work together to prevent.