55 migrants rescued from sinking boat near Lanzarote
55 people were rescued yesterday afternoon (Sunday) after their inflatable boat was found semi-submerged and drifting in the Atlantic while heading towards the Canary Islands.
According to Maritime Rescue, the Salvamar Al Nair rescue vessel was deployed after a surveillance aircraft spotted the stricken boat at around 1:00pm heading in the direction of Lanzarote.
The aircraft, identified as Sasemar 103, reported that one of the inflatable tubes was partially deflated and the boat was stationary and sitting low in the water. Despite the alarming condition of the small inflatable, there were no people in the sea. Those onboard were described as calm, and the dinghy was said to be stable at the time of detection.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Las Palmas immediately mobilised Salvamar Al Nair, which reached the location given shortly after 2:00pm.
Rescue teams brought all 55 people safely onboard, confirming they all appeared to be in good health. The migrants were then transported to the port of Arrecife, where the rescue vessel arrived at approximately 6:00pm.
The incident marks yet another dangerous Atlantic crossing intercepted by Spanish rescue services, underlining the continued risks faced by those attempting to reach the Canary Islands by sea.
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