Cruise ship rescues 68 migrants, 5 dead on route to Spain’s Canaries

A luxury cruise ship has rescued 68 migrants from a fishing boat in distress en route to Spain’s Canary Islands, where rough seas claimed the lives of five people, Spanish authorities and the cruise operator said on Thursday.

The archipelago has become a primary entry point for illegal migrants from Africa to Spain, with the journey also proving to be one of the deadliest routes. Migration rights group Walking Borders reported nearly 5,000 migrant deaths at sea along this route in the first five months of 2024.

The Philipp Oldendorff, a bulk carrier, first located the drifting boat 440 nautical miles south of Tenerife on Wednesday, providing initial assistance to the migrants. The Insignia cruise ship, operated by Oceania Cruises based in Miami, was then diverted to the area to rescue survivors, according to a statement from the Coast Guard.

The Insignia managed to retrieve 68 survivors and three bodies from the distressed boat. Adverse weather conditions prevented the recovery of two more bodies, prompting the ship to leave a locating device to aid further search efforts.

The Insignia, capable of accommodating 670 passengers, is currently on a 180-day global voyage that began in January. It is scheduled to arrive in Tenerife at 7 a.m. (0600 GMT) on Friday.

“Safety of life at sea is of paramount importance for all seafarers,” said a spokesperson for Oceania Cruises, which is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings NCLH.N.

“We can confirm that the Insignia rescued 68 people from a vessel in distress between Cape Verde and Tenerife, brought them onboard for medical assistance and provided food, drinks, clothing and a safe place to rest,” the spokesperson added.

A Spanish coast guard vessel is en route from the Canary Islands to rendezvous with the Insignia and assist in locating the shipwreck.

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