SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 1st Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
On this day, El Hierro observed a minute of silence outside the main headquarters of the Cabildo in Valverde as a gesture of sympathy and support for the victims of the migration crisis occurring in the waters surrounding this island.
This marks the commencement of the first of three days of official mourning designated by the Institution beginning at midnight today, following the shipwreck that happened over the weekend, coinciding with a search for another drifting canoe in the same vicinity as this tragedy.
Institutional representatives along with local residents gathered for this minute of silence, attended by figures such as the Government delegate in the Canary Islands, Anselmo Pestana, and the president of the Cabildo, Alpidio Armas.
Following the minute, Armas reflected on the fact that it was a “very tragic” occurrence. “We were aware that some boats failed to arrive, but to witness it up close, a few kilometres from our shore, strikes you in a much more profound manner. A few could be rescued, while others could not, and this is a tragedy,” he expressed.
Alpidio Armas further stated that the purpose behind this moment of silence, the three days of mourning, and the institutional declaration the Cabildo aims to issue is to honour these nine individuals, the 53 who have most likely perished, and, more broadly, all those who have lost their lives at sea, both in the past and in the future.
“This is a tragedy, a situation that we must navigate, yet it remains profoundly saddening that individuals, in pursuit of a better existence, lose their lives at sea. It may be reflective of the era we are currently living in, and we must confront it in the best possible manner,” stated the president of Herreño.
“El Hierro endures this phenomenon with dignity, empathy, solidarity, and warmth towards those it welcomes from the sea,” Armas observed. “It is not an easy task; it places a strain on the island, but I believe if a monument is to be erected for anyone, it should be in honour of the population of El Hierro. The institutions are present to provide the necessary means and resources so that everything unfolds as smoothly as possible, but the Herreños are displaying to the world a testament of kindness, generosity, and solidarity in response to this extraordinary phenomenon,” he added.
In conclusion, as the president of Herreño pointed out, “resources are perpetually limited; we lack authority over migration matters, but we possess social awareness, and it is our responsibility, irrespective of legalities and responsibilities, to maintain this consciousness and assist in every way we can to ensure that the stay of these individuals on the island is as manageable as possible.