SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 29 September (EUROPA PRESS) –
The extensive search operation for the 48 migrants who are unaccounted for following the capsize of a canoe in the early hours of Saturday located approximately 4 miles from El Hierro remains active today, Sunday. Efforts are ongoing by land, sea and air, however, no new signs have been discovered during the night, as confirmed by sources from Maritime Rescue.
Around 84 migrants were aboard the cayuco (90 according to testimonies from those on board) and the remains of nine individuals, including one minor, have been recovered. Additionally, 27 survivors were rescued, among whom were four minors. Three of these survivors were subsequently transferred to the Nuestra Señora de los Reyes Hospital due to hypothermia, dehydration, and shoulder injuries.
The search apparatus includes the Calíope sea guard from Salvamento Marítimo, an LS-Hades vessel from the Red Cross, and the Río Guadiato patrol boat from the Civil Guard. Aerial support is provided by two Cuco helicopters from the Civil Guard and the GES helicopter from the Government of the Canary Islands, which will be deployed throughout the day.
Yesterday, the operation saw the use of up to four boats alongside four aerial units (three helicopters and a rescue plane), along with four divers from the Group of Underwater Activities Specialists (GEAS) of the Civil Guard.
Four Civil Guard patrols remain on standby ashore, comprising eight personnel, who are continuing observation and surveillance tasks from the coastline. Additionally, there are four agents from the Judicial Police conducting forensic support work.
The Government delegate in the Canary Islands, Anselmo Pestana, stated yesterday that the search mission will persist “for as long as necessary” because it is anticipated that over the next 2-3 days, due to the currents, more bodies may begin to surface, likely further east within the archipelago.