Tragedy for illegal immigrants off coast of Lanzarote

Update : 18/12/2012 @ 17:20 : The court in Lanzarote has ordered a judge to investigate whether the crash between the Guardia Civil boat (Cabaleiro) could be responsible for the death of one of the 25 illegal immigrants that was on board the patera. Seven others still remain missing. Both boats are currently at Puerto Naos in Arrecife (Lanzarote) pending the start of the investigation.

Update : 18/12/2012 @ 17:00 : A ‘fault’ is being blamed for a crash that took place between the Guardia Civil boat and the patera that was carrying 25 illegal immigrants off the coast of Lanzarote last week. It is being reported that a fault in one of the engines stopped the Guardia Civil boat from avoiding a collision with the patera. Seven of the 25 still remain missing.
%CODE13%
Update : 14/12/2012 @ 09:26 : It is being reported that a Guardia Civil vessel which went looking for the boat ‘made contact’ with it while at sea. It is being investigated whether this may have led to the boat capsizing. The emergency services were alerted last night (Wednesday, 12th December 2012) of a ‘patera’ type boat carrying illegal immigrants had capsized off the coast of Costa Teguise on the island of Lanzarote. It is believed that there could have been 25 illegal immigrants on the patera which was travelling from Maghreb. This morning the body of one of the 8 people believed to be missing was spotted floating in the water off the coast of Los Marmoles.

The patera capsized in waters near Jablillo and 17 people have been rescued so far, two of which have been taken to hospital. It is understood that there are two minors in the group. A helicopter and maritime rescue are currently searching the area for the missing people. It is expected that at some time during this morning GEAS divers from the Guardia Civil will commence work in an attempt to locate the missing people.