A high seas drama near Torrevieja on Spain’s Costa Blanca resulted in 14 immigrants being rescued, 2 dead and 1 Missing
The Maritime Emergency Rescue Services reported that 14 individuals, including an infant of merely two months old, have been successfully rescued from the unforgiving high seas, approximately 40 miles off the coast of Torrevieja (Alicante). According to authoritative accounts from both the Red Cross and Maritime Rescue, the group’s vessel tragically capsized on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 16, marking the onset of their perilous ordeal.
The dire situation took a tragic turn, as reported by the survivors themselves. It was around 5:30 p.m. when the boat succumbed to the waves, thrusting its occupants into the treacherous waters. Their survival owes itself to the critical presence of life jackets among the stranded.
Amid the chaos, Maritime Rescue officials confirmed a grim loss – two souls had perished before the vessel’s untimely fate. Additionally, a haunting question lingers with a third individual unaccounted for, prompting an intense search effort. A helicopter and a diligent Guardia Civil patrol boat have been deployed in the ongoing pursuit of this missing person.
As the details unfold, it has emerged that a total of 17 desperate souls embarked on this fateful journey from Tipasa, a coastal Algerian town situated near Algiers. The resolve of the search efforts remains steadfast as authorities strive to uncover the complete narrative behind this harrowing maritime incident.
Regarding the survivors, the Red Cross has emphasized that the 14 individuals are in a “fragile” state, though there exists no concern for the life-threatening condition of any of them.
Nevertheless, a lady with second-degree burns on her buttocks, accompanied by her seven-year-old daughter and a two-month-old baby – the latter being the offspring of the aforementioned woman – have been transferred to Alicante General Hospital.
The Red Cross has communicated that the boat accommodated eleven men alongside the two women and the infant.
This marks the fifth rescue operation since the previous Saturday. In a noteworthy development, a fishing vessel by the name of Nuevo Joaquina Antonio successfully saved 13 out of the 14 individuals, with the remaining person being airlifted to safety via the Helimer helicopter.
The Spanish coast guard and other rescue organizations have rescued thousands of immigrants in recent years.
The reasons why there are many sea rescues of immigrants on Spain’s east coast are:
- Spain is a popular destination for immigrants seeking to enter Europe.
- The east coast of Spain is close to the coast of North Africa, where many immigrants come from.
- The waters off the coast of Spain are relatively calm, making it a good place for immigrants to attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea.
- The Spanish coast guard and other rescue organizations are well-equipped and experienced in rescuing immigrants.
The sea rescues of immigrants on Spain’s east coast are a complex issue. On the one hand, it is important to save lives and to provide humanitarian assistance to those who are in need. On the other hand, it is also important to deter people from making dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea.
The Spanish government is working to address this issue by increasing cooperation with countries in North Africa, improving the conditions in migrant reception centers, and cracking down on human trafficking networks.
In 2022, the Spanish coast guard rescued over 20,000 immigrants on the east coast of Spain. This is a significant increase from the previous year, when the coast guard rescued over 15,000 immigrants. The increase in sea rescues is likely due to a number of factors, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has displaced millions of people, and the deteriorating security situation in North Africa.
The sea rescues of immigrants on Spain’s east coast are a reminder of the challenges facing Europe in the 21st century. Europe is facing a growing number of refugees and migrants, and it is important to find ways to address this issue in a humane and effective way.
