In the tribute to the seven deceased in the terrorist attack on the fishing boat Cruz del Mar, the Lanzarote Island Council also wanted to show its respect to the victims. The event took place in Saharan waters in 1978, in which the Lanzarote fishermen Amador Hernández, Chano Cañada, Alfredo Marrero, Juan Suárez, Agustín Hernández, José María Hernández and Rafael Salas lost their lives.
Nearly a hundred people attended the event that took place this Saturday, July 20, at the La Luz que nos Guía monument in Arrecife. The tribute has been organized by one of the three survivors of the attack, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez García, who, along with other people from Lanzarote, has been keeping the memory of his companions alive for 46 years.
The ceremony, with a sailor's snack, coincides with the celebration of the events organized on the occasion of the Day of Carmen and was attended by the Councilor for Fisheries of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Samuel Martín, and the Councilor for Education, Ascensión Toledo.
The president of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, assured that "this tribute is a reminder of the tragic event, of which there are still after-effects among all of us." He also highlighted the important work carried out by the fishermen.
For his part, the Councilor for Fisheries, Samuel Martín, pointed out that this event "left an indelible mark on the island and in the memory of its inhabitants." "That day marked a before and after for the families of the sailors and for the entire island," he added.
The event began with a greeting from the Pueblo Maho Cultural Association of Arrecife, who sounded some sea shells. Next, the parranda Los Buches commemorated the memory of the seven deceased sailors with their music and traditional dances, where the folía tribute to the sailors of the Cruz del Mar was highlighted.
In addition, during the tribute, the members of the parranda placed an offering at the feet of the image of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, located in the chapel installed inside the monument.