PRESS RELEASE 019

Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveys its full support to the families of the vessel that sank in Newfoundland for repatriation after search operation ends

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation has contacted the families of the Spanish sailors affected by the sinking of the vessel ‘Villa de Pitanxo’ in the fishing waters of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization, some 450 kilometres off the coast of Newfoundland (Canada) on early Tuesday morning. After expressing its profound dismay and condolences over the tragic occurrence, the Consul-General of Spain in Montreal, Luis Calvo, notified the families of the Spanish sailors by phone “the full disposition of the ministerial department” to speed up the administrative procedures relating to the repatriation of the survivors and bodies of those who died when the vessel sank, which was based in the Port of Marín (Pontevedra).

February 17, 2022

The Consul-General of Spain also informed them of the end of the rescue operation, a decision taken by the Canadian authorities in view of the impossibility of locating the 12 sailors that were still missing. He informed the families of the information from the Government of Canada on the impossibility of continuing with the search operation in light of the unfavourable weather conditions, with waves up to ten metres high, strong winds, low temperatures of close to zero degrees and very low visibility.

The Consul-General of Spain in Montreal is presently in Saint John’s (Newfoundland), where he travelled upon hearing that the vessel had sunk. The operation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also includes “ongoing contact” with the Spanish Ambassador to Canada, Alfredo Martínez, with senior officials from Global Affairs Canada (equivalent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and the rest of the Canadian authorities involved in the operation, including Maritime Search and Rescue and Civil Aviation. The Honorary Consul in Newfoundland, Jean Pierre Andrieux, is also present in Saint John’s to help speed up the logistical and administrative procedures regarding the rescue and repatriation. This is all being coordinated from Madrid under the personal supervision of Minister José Manuel Albares, who is in permanent contact with the Government Delegate in Galicia, José Manuel Miñones, and the Directorate-General of Spaniards Abroad and Consular Affairs, responsible for this type of matter.

‘In situ’ consular assistence

The three survivors (two Spaniards and one Ghanian) and the nine bodies recovered to date are travelling to Saint John’s Port onboard a Spanish and a Portuguese vessel. Both ships were in the same fishing grounds and travelled to the site of the accident to assist with the rescue operations. Their arrival at the coast of this North American peninsula is scheduled for 6 am (local Canadian time) tomorrow, Friday 18 February, where they will be attended by foreign affairs officials in the region.

Aside from the Spanish and Portuguese fishing vessels, which will repatriate the survivors and bodies found, another Spanish vessel and a Portuguese vessel, plus a search vessel and United States coastguard vessel also took part in the rescue operation of the crew of the ‘Villa de Pitanxo’. The Canadian authorities also deployed two helicopters and a rescue service plane.

-NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION-