Cruise Ship Rescues 68 Migrants Adrift off Canary Islands in Atlantic Ocean

On June 20, 2024, the cruise operator, Oceania Cruises, announced that the cruise ship Insignia had rescued 68 people from a fishing boat adrift between Cape Verde and Tenerife in the Atlantic Ocean. The Insignia, nearing the end of a 180-day trip around the world, received a distress call and swiftly responded to the situation.

The cruise ship not only rescued the 68 individuals but also provided them with essential medical assistance, food, drinks, clothing, and a safe place to rest. Oceania Cruises confirmed that the next steps for the rescued individuals have been coordinated with authorities in Tenerife, who will be taking over their care.

Passenger's Account

Henry Tom, a passenger from Vancouver, Canada, recounted the rescue operation, stating that it took a couple of hours to bring the distressed individuals onboard. Tragically, it was reported that five people on the fishing boat had lost their lives. While the crew managed to recover three bodies, they were unable to retrieve the remaining two due to adverse weather conditions.

Henry Tom mentioned that the rescued individuals were believed to be from Senegal, although there was not full certainty about their origin. These migrants, who had spent an estimated 20 to 30 days at sea, were provided refuge in the Insignia Lounge, where fellow passengers showed their solidarity by donating shoes and clothing to support them.

Increasing Migration Numbers

This rescue comes against the backdrop of a significant increase in migrant arrivals to the Canary Islands from Africa. Spain recorded that in the previous year, 55,618 migrants arrived by sea, with the majority heading to the Canary Islands. This figure marked almost double the number of arrivals compared to the previous year. Moreover, the Interior Ministry reported that over 23,000 migrants have already arrived this year, underscoring the ongoing challenges posed by irregular migration.