Rescue of Drifting Canoe Finds Multiple

Rescue operation

Maritime Rescue Service (Salvamento Marítimo) rescued a canoe in the early hours of Saturday.
The vessel was first located about 23 nautical miles from La Restinga, on the island of El Hierro.
Between 70 and 100 people were aboard; several were dead and others were in poor health.
At 06:25, emergency number 112 alerted the Maritime Rescue Center in Tenerife about the distressed canoe.
The coordinating center contacted a passenger who reported they were around 16 nm from the island, stationary, without water or food.
Rescue assets deployed:
- Patrol boat Navia
- Helicopter Helimer 201
By 08:15, the patrol boat confirmed it had rescued the occupants, noting:

“some in bad condition and several dead.”

The rescued canoe is expected to reach the port of La Restinga around 11:00.
Meanwhile, the Helimer 201 and patrol boat Diphda remain at sea searching for a second missing canoe.