Ongoing Maritime Rescue Operations in El Hierro Amidst Another Tragic Shipwreck
The Canary Government, alongside the Red Cross, has intensified efforts to locate a drifting cayuco in the waters between the south and east of El Hierro. This search operation commenced on Monday night, following a distress call received at 8:11 PM that same evening. The call confirmed that there were individuals on board the cayuco, prompting immediate action from Maritime Rescue.
This current search effort is taking place in the same vicinity where a tragic shipwreck occurred last Saturday, resulting in the loss of many lives. Approximately 60 people were reported to be on board the cayuco at the time of the incident. To date, the only recovery has been of nine bodies, with three of those victims buried on Monday in the Valverde cemetery. Alarmingly, 54 individuals remain unaccounted for since the accident, heightening the urgency of ongoing operations.
The first search effort, which took place through the night and into the early morning, involved the Salvamar Menkalinan and the Helimer 201. Unfortunately, this initial attempt yielded no results. In response, a new comprehensive operation was launched on Tuesday, which includes the deployment of the Guardamar Caliope, the Río Ara patrol boat of the Civil Guard, and the Red Cross rescue vessel, Hades. A helicopter from the Emergency and Rescue Group of the Canary Government, along with the Sasemar 103, has also been dispatched to assist in aerial searches.
Rescue teams are diligently combing the same coastal areas where the previous cayuco sank, signifying the precarious conditions faced by those attempting to cross these treacherous waters. The commitment of the Canary Government and humanitarian organizations underscores the ongoing struggle to address the human cost of maritime migration in this region. As rescuers continue their search, the hope remains alive for the safe recovery of those still in peril.
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