Search crews are searching for victims after a Spanish fishing boat sank off the coast of Newfoundland early Tuesday morning.
Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Halifax confirmed three crew members have been located alive on a lifeboat and that seven others’ remains were found as they continue to search for the remaining crew of at least 24.
Authorities were alerted that a 50-meter fishing boat called Villa de Pitanxo that operates out of Spain sank after midnight east of St. John’s.
Maica Larriba, a spokeswoman for the Spanish government, told Spanish radio that the crew had 16 Spaniards, five Peruvians, and at least three Ghanaians. Authorities have not identified the members who were found.
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“Two [lifeboats] were completely empty, and in one of them were just three survivors in a state of hypothermic shock because the temperature of the water is terrible, very low,” Larriba said.
As of early this afternoon, searchers have recovered 3 additional deceased individuals. The search continues for the remaining crew.
— HfxJRCC_CCCOS (@hfxjrcc) February 15, 2022
Seguimos con inquietud y preocupación las tareas de búsqueda y rescate de la tripulación del barco gallego hundido en aguas de Terranova.
Todo mi cariño para sus familias. El Gobierno permanece en contacto continuo con los servicios de salvamento.
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) February 15, 2022
Search crews said they have not located the boat as of Tuesday afternoon.
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“We are following with concern the search and rescue tasks for the crew of the Galician ship that sunk in the waters of Newfoundland. All my love to their families. The government remains in continuous contact with the rescue services,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.
