Relatives of the crew of the missing Galician fishing boat in Canada are calling for the search to continue

This content was published on Feb 20 2022 – 15:10
February 20 2022 – 15:10

(AFP)

Relatives of 12 crew members missing in the sinking of a Spanish fishing vessel in Canadian waters demonstrated on Sunday, demanding a resumption of the search for their bodies.

Relatives and friends of the victims, as well as other people, gathered in the center of the port of Marin, in Galicia (Northwest Spain), where the ship was located.

View many photographs of the disappeared.

Maria José del Pozo, whose father was one of the disappeared, told reporters present, “There are twelve. It was a very great tragedy. Please, continue the search now.”

He also said the sailors’ relatives will travel to Madrid this week to present their case to the prime minister, Pedro Sanchez.

When the “Villa de Betanxo” sank off the east coast of Canada (Newfoundland), there were 24 people on board.

Rescuers were able to help three survivors and take them to safety, after which nine bodies were recovered.

The Canadian Rescue Service ended its search on Wednesday, after conducting a “strenuous” 36-hour operation amid extremely difficult weather conditions. It has traveled about 900 square nautical miles (about 3,100 square kilometres).

“We don’t ask for anything from the other world. To anyone in this world would 36 hours seem to suffice?” , Christopher Gonzalez, whose father was also among the disappeared, fired into the crowd from a roundabout.

“What makes me suffer the most is to put myself in my father’s situation, knowing what he can suffer,” he added.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Alparis said, Friday, that he had asked his Canadian counterpart, Melanie Jolie, that her country resume searches when the weather improved.

On board were 16 Spaniards, five Peruvians and three Ghanaians. Due to the freezing water temperatures and raging seas, it is almost impossible to find more survivors.

The government said in a statement that a Spanish Air Force plane flew to Canada on Sunday to return the three survivors, a Spaniard and a Ghanaian, and five of the nine bodies that were found.

He adds that the other bodies will be returned to Peru.