A dramatic rescue unfolded in the Atlantic Ocean when a cruise ship saved 68 migrants from a drifting traditional fishing boat near the Canary Islands, Spain’s maritime rescue agency reported on Thursday. Tragically, the rescuers also recovered the bodies of five individuals from the vessel.
The distress call came after an oil tanker en route from northwestern Spain to Brazil spotted the boat approximately 815 kilometers south of Tenerife, a prominent island in the Canary archipelago. Spanish authorities swiftly diverted the Insignia, a cruise ship, to assist in the rescue operation.
The crew of the Insignia managed to retrieve three bodies from the fishing boat. However, adverse weather conditions prevented the recovery of the remaining two bodies, which were left at sea.
The fishing boat, resembling the canoe-shaped pirogues commonly used by fishermen in Mauritania and Senegal, was found far from regular maritime routes, raising concerns about the safety of its occupants.
“It’s unusual for cruise ships to be involved in Atlantic migrant rescues, but given the boat’s remote location, there was a clear danger to those aboard,” stated a spokesperson from the maritime rescue agency, speaking anonymously per departmental regulations.
Passenger Steve Dilbeck from Huntington Beach, California, recounted the cruise ship’s response upon learning about the distressed boat. “They did say the boat had been at sea for 20 days,” Dilbeck noted in a text message to The Associated Press. “We were diverted in the evening and took us two hours to reach them. They were brought on board and placed in the Insignia Lounge, which is where they have all their shows.”
He further described how passengers were asked to assist the rescued migrants with donations of shoes and clothing, particularly for men. The Insignia, registered in the Marshall Islands and operated by Miami-based Oceania Cruises, had departed from Mindelo, Cape Verde, and is expected to arrive at the port of Santa Cruz, Tenerife, on Friday.
The Canary Islands have become a focal point for migrants attempting the perilous Atlantic crossing from northwestern Africa to seek refuge in Europe. According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, a record 55,618 migrants arrived by boat last year, with most landing in the Canary Islands—nearly double the previous year’s arrivals. This year has seen over 23,000 arrivals so far.
Tragically, the journey remains deadly, with the Spanish nonprofit Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders) reporting over 5,000 migrant deaths this year alone up to May, primarily on the treacherous Atlantic route. The organization noted that in 2023, the total number of migrant deaths reached 6,600, more than doubling the figures from the previous year.
This incident underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the desperate risks migrants undertake in search of safety and opportunity.