Maritime Rescue: Migrants Saved from Perilous High Seas by a Cruise Vessel
Cruise Ship Off the Coast of Tenerife Rescues Hundreds of Migrants in Distress
In the rough waters of the Atlantic, a cruise ship, the "Insignia," nabbed a multitude of desperate migrants from a decrepit boat in trouble. The rescue operation, spearheaded by the crew, unfolded approximately 800 kilometers south of the sun-kissed Spanish island of Tenerife.
Upon its arrival at Santa Cruz de Tenerife this afternoon, the ship reportedly had 67 alive migrants and 4 deceased migrants on board. Most of the survivors hailed from African nations south of the Sahara, including three children between the ages of seven and nine. Five of the lucky ones required hospitalization due to their injuries or severe dehydration, while a pregnant woman was admitted out of caution.
According to the Spanish rescue service, at least six migrants had perished during their perilous journey. Regrettably, the stormy sea made it impossible for the crew to retrieve two of the lifeless bodies. However, the grim number of fatalities may have surpassed 30, as suggested by the migrants' harrowing stories. The boat had departed from Mauritania in northwest Africa with more than a hundred people on board, as reports claimed. Throughout their journey, numerous bodies were reportedly discarded overboard, according to the survivors' accounts.
During their harrowing ordeal, the migrants endured almost three weeks at sea before being found. Marcela Posca, a spokesperson for the Spanish Red Cross, spoke with several of the survivors and reported that they were in remarkably good health given their circumstances. Posca further shared with the state broadcaster RTVE that the migrants voiced the extreme hardships they experienced while advocating for their fantasy world's sudden collision with harsh reality.
One passenger on the cruise ship opened up to RTVE about the experience, stating, "It was very cruel. One moment you're in a dreamland, and the next, you're faced with the harsh reality." Her spouse effusively praised the crew's unwavering dedication: "They fed the survivors, washed them, cared for them, and even provided medical attention."
For some time now, refugee boats have been steadily approaching the Canary Islands, positioned about 100 kilometers off the northwest coast of Africa. As per the latest figures from the Spanish Interior Ministry in Madrid, nearly 19,000 migrants had arrived by June 15, marking a staggering 220% increase year over year.
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The rescue of migrants by the cruise ship "Insignia" occurred off the coast of Spain, specifically near Tenerife.In response to the international crisis, numerous refugee boats have been consistently approaching the Canary Islands.
