In recent hours, it has been confirmed that another sailor has died, raising the total number of fatalities to nine from the tragic sinking of the fishing vessel Argos Georgia. This incident occurred last Monday, approximately 200 miles (370 kilometers) east of the Falkland Islands. Search operations continue for four missing crew members, amid severe weather conditions that include strong winds and waves reaching heights of up to eight meters.
The crew of the Argos Georgia consisted of 27 sailors: 10 Spaniards, eight Russians, five Indonesians, two Uruguayans, and two Peruvians. Fourteen crew members were rescued. Pedro Blanco, the Spanish government representative in Galicia, provided updates on the situation and the rescue operation.
According to Blanco, the current tally indicates that there are 14 survivors with minor injuries, while nine people have died and four are missing. Among the 10 Spanish crew members, six have survived. The deceased include the fishing boat’s captain, a resident of Vigo, and the chef from Bayona. Two missing crew members are from the towns of Ribeira and Noya.
The government official explained that both the survivors and the bodies of the deceased are being transported on the Chilean fishing vessel Puerto Toro and the patrol vessel FPV Lilibet, which are heading to Stanley Port. Their arrival is expected around 6 PM local time, although Blanco noted that this timing might change due to weather conditions and other unforeseen events.
The survivors are scheduled to receive treatment at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, and initial reports indicate that they are doing well with only minor injuries. Blanco also addressed the repatriation of the victims’ bodies, stating that the Spanish government will allocate all necessary resources to expedite this process. “If needed, the government will charter a plane for their repatriation,” he emphasized.
Concerning the search operation for the four missing sailors, which is being led by the maritime authorities of the Falkland Islands, Blanco mentioned that the fishing vessel Robin M. Lee, owned by the Galician company Lafonia, remains in the search area, assisted by aerial support and satellite imagery.
As for the cause of the sinking, the representative stated that it is not yet known, but an investigation will be conducted to ascertain what happened. He suggested that the leading hypothesis indicates a breach in the vessel’s hull may have caused the incident.
This is an ongoing news story.
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