Luxury cruise ship helps rescue 68 migrants heading for Canary Islands as five die

A luxury cruise ship rescued dozens of migrants who were trying to reach the Spanish Canary Islands in a fishing boat that had stalled in rough seas.

Bulk carrier Philipp Oldendorff sighted the boat adrift 440 nautical miles (815 km) south of the island of Tenerife on Wednesday.

After its crew provide first aid, the Insignia cruise ship was diverted to the area to pick up the survivors, the Spanish Coast Guard said.

Five people on the boat had already died.

The group of islands has become the main point of entry to Spain for illegal migrants from Africa in recent years. The route is also the deadliest.

Migration rights group Walking Borders said last week that nearly 5,000 migrants died at sea on that route in the first five months of 2024.

The Insignia, which is owned by Miami-based Oceania Cruises, also managed to recover three bodies from the boat, but bad weather prevented the recovery of another two bodies so the ship left a locating device to facilitate the search.

The small luxury cruise ship with a 670-passenger capacity is undertaking a 180-day trip around the world that started in January. It was expected to reach Tenerife at 7am (6am GMT) on Friday.

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

“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.”

A Spanish coast guard vessel was en route from the Canary Islands on Thursday to meet the Insignia and then locate the shipwreck.