450 migrants rescued during Storm Claudia thanks to Maritime Rescue
The extraordinary humanitarian work of Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service has once again proved vital on the deadly Atlantic migration route, after its crews saved 450 migrants travelling in three boats (cayucos) towards the Canary Islands during severe weather linked to Storm Claudia.
The rescues took place while the archipelago was under an official alert for heavy seas, with powerful swell affecting the southern routes commonly used by migrant boats.
According to information from CECOES, emergency teams, and news agencies, these timely interventions prevented a potential tragedy.
The first incident occurred on Thursday night, when a cayuco carrying 126 people was escorted into the port of La Restinga, El Hierro. Medical teams confirmed that most were in good condition, though one man required hospital treatment.
Rescues Intensified on Friday
Yesterday, Maritime Rescue had to step up efforts once again after detecting two additional cayucos south of El Hierro, carrying more than 350 migrants, including at least one baby and 44 women, according to the preliminary count of 247 people who had already reached land.
Around midday, a Rescue aircraft patrolling the Atlantic south of the islands sighted the first of the two boats, roughly 100 kilometres from El Hierro. The fast-response vessel Salvamar Navia, based in La Restinga, was dispatched immediately. However, during the journey, its crew encountered another cayuco adrift, out of fuel, and dangerously overloaded with 203 men and 44 women.
Given the precarious situation, the Salvamar Diphda was also mobilised from La Restinga. Working together, the two rescue vessels transported all occupants safely to land: an initial group of 40 weakened individuals aboard the Navia, and the remaining 207 on the Diphda.
Although the full number of minors is still being confirmed, Efe reports that the group of 40 rescued first included at least one baby, who was taken to Valverde Hospital along with a woman who had suffered a facial injury.
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