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Spain Rescues 242 From Two Cayucos Off El Hierro After Drum-Raft Sighting

Back-to-back rescues stretched El Hierro’s limited reception capacity, prompting first-line triage in La Restinga with transfers to Tenerife available if required.

Overview

  • A merchant ship reported a disabled cayuco about 30 miles south of El Hierro, after which the Sasemar 103 aircraft confirmed the position and the Salvamar Navia and Diphda deployed from La Restinga.
  • Rescuers evacuated 161 people from the first vessel, including 26 women and 8 minors, after it had run out of fuel.
  • Two youths who left that boat on a makeshift raft of six gasoline drums were retrieved from open water in an exhausted state.
  • On the return toward port, crews secured a second cayuco 2–4 miles from the island carrying 81 people, including 15 women and 3 minors.
  • All 242 were taken to La Restinga for medical screening by health personnel, volunteers and security forces, with operations conducted under challenging seas influenced by storm Claudia.