Helimer Helicopter Locates Boat Carrying Around 30 People North of Lanzarote
Spanish Maritime Rescue has coordinated another rescue operation off the coast of Lanzarote after the Helimer rescue helicopter located a small migrant boat carrying around 30 people north of the island.
The vessel was detected during the morning of Tuesday, 14 July, prompting Maritime Rescue to deploy the Al Nair rescue vessel to the area. The helicopter remained overhead to monitor the situation while rescue teams made their way to the boat.
According to the initial information released by the emergency services, the occupants were travelling in a small vessel and were drifting in waters north of Lanzarote. At the time the boat was located, there were no reports of anyone entering the water or requiring immediate medical evacuation.
The Al Nair, based in Lanzarote, was tasked with carrying out the rescue and safely bringing those on board to port. As with previous rescue operations in Canary Islands waters, those rescued are expected to undergo health assessments upon arrival before the relevant immigration procedures begin.
A Regular Occurrence Around Lanzarote
Rescue operations involving migrant boats have become increasingly common around Lanzarote and the wider Canary Islands in recent years. The Atlantic migration route remains one of the world’s most dangerous sea crossings, with emergency services responding to numerous distress calls throughout the year.
Spain’s Maritime Rescue service, together with the Helimer helicopters and rescue vessels such as the Al Nair, continues to play a vital role in locating and assisting boats in difficulty before they reach the islands.
Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the nationalities of those on board or the exact location where the rescue vessel will disembark the passengers.
Emergency services are expected to provide further updates once the rescue operation has been completed.
