A luxury cruise liner, the Insignia, operated by Oceania Cruises, has performed a rescue operation saving 68 migrants who were stranded off the coast of Spain’s Canary Islands. The operation highlights the ongoing issue of migration in the region. The Insignia changed its course to save the migrants after the bulk carrier Philipp Oldendorff identified their small boat.
The Philipp Oldendorff initially came across the troubled boat on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, about 506 miles south of Tenerife. After providing initial aid, the Insignia arrived to finish the rescue operation. Despite difficult weather conditions, the Insignia managed to save all 68 migrants on board who were still alive, according to Spain’s maritime rescue agency, Salvamento Maritimo.
In a media statement, Oceania Cruises confirmed, “We can confirm that Insignia rescued 68 people from a vessel in distress between Cape Verde and Tenerife and [brought] them onboard for medical assistance and provided food, drinks, clothing, and a safe place to rest.” The cruise company stressed the significance of maritime safety and the responsibility of seafarers to help those in danger.
Aboard the Insignia was Henry Tom from Vancouver, Canada, who described the scene, “It took a few hours to rescue those on the fishing boat,” he said, adding that about five people had died. The crew of the Insignia was able to recover three bodies, but the rough weather prevented them from retrieving the remaining two.
Salvamento Maritimo identified the migrants as 62 men, three women, and three minors, all from sub-Saharan Africa. One critically ill migrant died before a rescue helicopter could reach the scene. According to passenger accounts, the vessel carrying the migrants had been adrift for about 20 to 30 days.
Steve Dilbeck from Huntington Beach, California, shared his observations. “They were brought on board and placed in the Insignia Lounge,” he said. “The area has been closed off to passengers. They had them remove their clothes and put on jumpsuits. Then they asked passengers if they had shoes and clothes they could donate.”
There has been a significant increase in the number of migrants arriving by sea in Spain this year. Government data shows that up to June 15, 23,037 migrants had made it to the country by sea, a stark increase from the 10,824 during the same period in the previous year. The Canary Islands have become a significant entry point for migrants attempting the dangerous Atlantic crossing from Africa to Europe.
Just earlier this month, Salvamento Maritimo rescued 145 migrants from a boat near Tenerife. The agency has been deploying vessels to manage the increased influx and offer aid. Still, the journey continues to be fraught with peril. According to Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders), over 5,000 migrants have lost their lives trying to reach Spain this year, with the Atlantic route being particularly treacherous.
