A luxury cruise ship has rescued 68 migrants adrift off the coast of Spain’s Canary Islands in a dramatic operation that underscores the ongoing migration crisis in the region. The Insignia, operated by Oceania Cruises, diverted from its route to save the migrants after the bulk carrier Philipp Oldendorff spotted their small boat.

The Oldendorff first discovered the distressed vessel on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, approximately 440 nautical miles (506 miles) south of Tenerife. The crew provided initial assistance before the Insignia arrived to complete the rescue. According to Spain’s maritime rescue agency, Salvamento Maritimo, the Insignia managed to rescue all 68 migrants on board despite challenging weather conditions.

Oceania Cruises confirmed in a statement to the media, “We can confirm that Insignia rescued 68 people from a vessel in distress between Cape Verde and Tenerife and [brought] them onboard for medical assistance and provided food, drinks, clothing, and a safe place to rest.” The cruise operator emphasized the importance of maritime safety and the duty of seafarers to assist those in peril.

Henry Tom, a passenger on the Insignia from Vancouver, Canada, recounted the scene: “It took a few hours to rescue those on the fishing boat,” noting that roughly five people had died. The Insignia crew managed to recover three bodies, but poor weather conditions hindered the retrieval of the remaining two.

The migrants, identified as 62 men, three women, and three minors, were all from sub-Saharan Africa. One migrant in critical condition died before an evacuation helicopter could arrive. The vessel carrying the migrants had been at sea for an estimated 20 to 30 days, according to passenger accounts.

Steve Dilbeck from Huntington Beach, California, shared his experience. “They were brought on board and placed in the Insignia Lounge,” he said. “The area has been closed off to passengers. They had them remove their clothes and put on jumpsuits. Then they asked passengers if they had shoes and clothes they could donate.”

Spain has seen a significant increase in migrants arriving by sea this year. Government figures reveal that as of June 15, 23,037 migrants had arrived in the country via the ocean, a dramatic rise from 10,824 during the same period last year. The Canary Islands, in particular, have become a major entry point for migrants attempting the perilous Atlantic route from Africa to Europe.

Earlier this month, the maritime rescue agency rescued 145 migrants from a boat near Tenerife. The agency has been mobilizing vessels to manage the influx and provide assistance. Despite increased efforts, the journey remains fraught with danger. According to the Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders), over 5,000 migrants have died attempting to reach Spain so far this year, with the Atlantic route being particularly deadly.