Sixteen Migrants Rescued from Barge Towed Near Canary Islands

Sixteen people were discovered hiding on a barge being towed by a cargo ship near the Canary Islands this Thursday, highlighting the extreme dangers of using commercial maritime transport to reach Europe.

The crew of a tugboat traveling from Singapore to Rotterdam alerted authorities after discovering the individuals among their cargo. The rescue operation, led by Maritime Rescue, was particularly difficult because the barge was located between Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Officials deployed a rescue boat and two helicopters to evacuate the group. Half of the individuals have already been transported to Tenerife North Airport, while efforts to bring the remaining eight to safety are ongoing.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by migrants who hide on large vessels. While less common than using small, precarious boats, this method exposes people to severe dangers, including dehydration, hypothermia, and accidents at sea.

The tugboat had previously stopped in Senegal, placing this event within the context of the Atlantic migration route, which is under constant surveillance by Spanish authorities. An investigation is now underway to determine how the individuals managed to board the barge and how long they were exposed to the elements before being found.