A large cayuco (wooden boat) carrying 180 people, including 29 minors, was intercepted by Maritime Rescue off the coast of the south of Tenerife this morning (Thursday), after being first spotted near Las Galletas at around 10:30am.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre dispatched the 'Salvamar Alpheratz' rescue boat to the coordinates where the cayuco was last seen, and it didn’t take them long to locate it and intercept it just 45 minutes later at 11:15am.
According to initial reports, Maritime Rescue confirmed that everyone on board the boat appeared to be in good health, with no deaths reported on this crossing from the west coast of Africa.
The Salvamar Alpheratz then proceeded to escort the cayuco and its occupants to the port of Los Cristianos passing in front of the main beach full of amazed holidaymakers, where it was met by a comprehensive medical and security team ready to assess the arriving migrants.
The crossing from Africa to the Canary Islands across the Atlantic is classed as one of the most perilous migration paths in the world, and one of the deadliest journeys for migrants seeking refuge in Europe.
Originating mainly from countries like Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco, migrants brave treacherous seas in overcrowded, often unseaworthy boats, hoping to reach European shores.
The route has seen a significant rise in use due to increased security and border controls in the Mediterranean, pushing people to seek alternative, more dangerous paths.
The journey is fraught with hazards, including rough waters, inadequate provisions, and the risk of interception or shipwreck, leading to countless deaths and making it a stark reminder of the broader humanitarian crisis in global migration.
