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Introduction
On June 20, 2024, the cruise ship Oceania Insignia encountered a dire situation at sea, rescuing 68 survivors from an overcrowded and damaged fishing boat carrying migrants attempting to reach Spain from Africa. Tragically, six individuals lost their lives in the incident.
Details of the Incident
The fishing boat, carrying 74 people, was first spotted adrift approximately 440 nautical miles south of Tenerife by the bulk carrier Philipp Oldendorff on June 19th. The cargo ship provided initial assistance before Oceania Insignia was diverted to the scene by the Spanish Civil Guard. The cruise ship successfully rescued 68 survivors and recovered the bodies of three victims. Due to challenging weather conditions, two additional bodies could not be retrieved, and a locator beacon was deployed to aid in their future recovery.
Operational Context
The incident occurred during Oceania Insignia’s 180-day “World Voyage 2024,” which began in Los Angeles and was scheduled to conclude in New York City. The tragedy highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Atlantic, with activist group Walking Borders reporting an estimated 5,000 migrant deaths at sea in the first five months of 2024 alone.