2024-08-07 17:01:26
The Colombian Navy reported the rescue of 15 irregular migrants in the sea off San Andrés, after a boat sank, causing the death of one person. Among those rescued are citizens of various nationalities, including minors, from Venezuela, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Iran and Kazakhstan.
The rescue was possible thanks to the collaboration with the Colombian Air Force, within the framework of a search and rescue operation, according to Frigate Captain Guillermo Alexander Lozano.
The National Navy, through a statement, said it is still searching for four additional migrants, using current and tide models to predict their possible location. Sailors in the region have also been asked to provide any information that could be useful in locating the missing. The situation highlights the extreme risk posed by irregular migration by sea, due to the lack of preparation for weather conditions and the absence of basic safety measures.
The San Andrés migration route has become an option for migrants seeking to reach the United States, avoiding the dangerous Darien Gap. However, the Colombian Navy warns about the dangers of this route, especially during hurricane season, when weather conditions are adverse. These conditions not only put migrants at risk, but also hinder search and rescue operations.
Finally, the Navy calls on citizens to avoid using this migration route due to the inherent dangers. They stress that improvisation in these maritime journeys not only ignores weather conditions, but also lacks the necessary safety elements, significantly increasing the risk for travelers.