The deceased migrant died embracing a companion in a zodiac with 10 centimeters of water

The occupants of the inflatable boat rescued tonight east of Lanzarote were exhausted and could barely speak when the rescue boat reached them, and two were found embracing, both very weak: one died and the other arrived on land in critical condition.

Sources from the emergency services consulted by EFE have detailed that the zodiac was afloat with 45 people on board when the Salvamar Al Nair found it, with relatively good sea; yes, with 10 centimeters of water already inside and a penetrating sensation of cold.

In fact, nine people were transferred directly to the hospital upon arrival at the dock, practically all with symptoms of hypothermia and two in serious condition, as detailed by 112.

As in the rest of Spain, temperatures have dropped significantly in the Canary Islands in the last week and in many islands there is an intense sensation of cold, which in the sea is intensified by the wind and humidity.

At the Lanzarote airport, the Aemet station on land closest to the rescue point, temperatures dropped this morning (02:00 hours) to 12 degrees. The rescue occurred at 3:40 hours, 37 kilometers from that point, out at sea.

On board that inflatable boat at the time of the rescue were 33 men, ten women and one child, in addition to the man who was weakest and whom the sailors of the Al Nair could not revive. Upon arrival at the port of Arrecife, his death was confirmed.

Caminando Fronteras, the NGO that usually forwards notices of departing pateras provided by families to the Spanish authorities, says that it is not aware of an inflatable boat with that number of occupants currently at sea; yes, with 50 or more.

The information provided by the rescued to the land assistance is confusing. Some have pointed out that another seven companions could be missing, but that information has not yet been confirmed.

The sources consulted by EFE emphasize that if someone else perished on the journey or fell from the inflatable boat into the sea, it was before the rescue, because the Salvamar Al Nair did not find anyone in the water.