Three people deceased after rescue of migrant boats north-east of Lanzarote
Three people have died and another person has been critically injured following a rescue operation involving migrant boats north-east of Lanzarote. The incident comes just two days after around 150 people were rescued from two other boats in waters north-east of the island.
Salvamento Marítimo launched a major operation during the early hours of Wednesday, 16 September, after an inflatable boat carrying people attempting to reach the Canary Islands was located around 131 kilometres (approximately 71 nautical miles) north-east of Lanzarote.
THREE PEOPLE FOUND DEAD
The rescue operation was carried out by the Salvamar Ácrux and Salvamar Al Nair, two maritime rescue vessels operating from Lanzarote.
There has been some variation in the initial figures reported during the morning. Early information from Lanzarote emergency services described two boats carrying around 79 people, with 60 people on one vessel and 19 on the other. Three people were reported dead and one of the survivors was in a critical condition.
Later information from Salvamento Marítimo and EFE reported 82 people aboard the inflatable boat, including the three people who had died. The discrepancy appears to reflect the developing nature of the rescue and the initial difficulty establishing an accurate passenger count.
The critically ill survivor was evacuated by helicopter for urgent medical treatment. The remaining survivors and the bodies of those who died were taken towards Arrecife, with the vessels expected to arrive during the morning.
RESCUE TOOK PLACE IN WATERS UNDER MOROCCAN RESPONSIBILITY
Salvamento Marítimo said the inflatable was initially in an area where Morocco had responsibility for maritime rescue coordination. According to information provided to EFE, Moroccan authorities requested Spain's assistance because they did not have sufficient resources available at the time.
This highlights how far from Lanzarote some of these rescue operations take place. Although the boats are ultimately attempting to reach the Canary Islands, people can spend many hours or even days at sea before being located.
ANOTHER MAJOR RESCUE JUST TWO DAYS EARLIER
The latest tragedy follows another significant rescue operation on Monday, 14 September.
Salvamento Marítimo rescued 148 people from two boats approximately 60 nautical miles north-east of Lanzarote. One was a wooden boat carrying 50 people, while the other was an inflatable carrying 98 people. Among the 148 people were 14 women and six minors, according to the updated figures reported by Salvamento Marítimo.
The two rescue vessels involved, Al Nair and Ácrux, subsequently brought those rescued to Arrecife.
Taken together, the two operations involved four boats and more than 220 people rescued in waters north-east of Lanzarote within just two days, although the precise total from Wednesday's operation was still being clarified in reports published during the morning.
THE CANARY ISLANDS MIGRATION ROUTE
Lanzarote's geographical position makes it one of the Canary Islands closest to the African mainland, and the island regularly becomes involved in maritime rescue operations involving boats travelling towards the archipelago.
The Atlantic migration route to the Canary Islands is considered extremely dangerous. Boats can spend prolonged periods at sea, often in vessels that are poorly equipped for long-distance journeys.
The latest incident also comes after other serious incidents on the Atlantic route during September, including a voyage from Gambia in which survivors reported a very high number of deaths. EFE reported that Salvamento Marítimo rescued 44 people from that boat after they had spent 26 days at sea, while information from survivors and families indicated that dozens of others had died during the journey.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN RESCUED PEOPLE REACH LANZAROTE?
When people are brought ashore in Arrecife, emergency services, medical teams and humanitarian organisations are involved in the initial response.
The immediate priority is checking the health of those rescued, particularly anyone suffering from dehydration, exhaustion, injuries or other medical problems following their time at sea.
The latest operation demonstrates that Lanzarote remains an important point for maritime rescue operations in the Canary Islands, even when boats are intercepted many tens of miles from the island itself.
LANZAROTE RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS
For people living in Lanzarote or visiting the island, these rescues generally take place well offshore and away from the island's tourist beaches and resorts.
The arrival of rescue vessels at Arrecife can, however, lead to a visible emergency response around the port, with police, healthcare workers, maritime rescue personnel and humanitarian teams involved.
The events are a reminder that the Atlantic surrounding Lanzarote is an active maritime environment and that the island's rescue services can be called upon to respond to emergencies many tens of miles from the coast.
Figures were still being updated by authorities as this article was being prepared. The differing numbers reported during the morning are therefore noted rather than presenting an early figure as definitive.
