The nineteen irregular immigrants rescued yesterday (Sunday) from a cayuco that was drifting 220 kilometres south of El Hierro, in which four other deceased were also in the boat, have been admitted to various hospitals in Tenerife, after being saved by Maritime Rescue. All are men of sub-Saharan origin and there are 14 in a moderate state, three severely ill and two mild according to reports.
The cayuco was located by a fishing boat that was sailing through the area and alerted of its presence, while trying themselves to help those in trouble. Crew of the fishing vessel passed water and food to the occupants and remained in the area until the arrival of rescue services, according to emergency services.
They indicated that the occupants of the boat were faint and barely conscious as a result of the crossing, which at first suggested that the number of deaths was higher, in fact, eleven deaths were reported on board the cayuco at first.
