Some 14 people have been taken to hospital with hypothermia. The reasons why the boat broke up and sank are not known at the moment.
Emergency services have rescued this afternoon the 33 occupants of a tourist catamaran belonging to the company ‘Olé Olé’ which has sunk, for unknown reasons, one mile from the port of Cartagena. 14 of those rescued have been taken to hospital with symptoms of hypothermia, according to the Emergency Coordination Centre.
The Mayoress of Cartagena, Noelia Arroyo, who has gone to the port, said that the reasons for the sinking are unknown, and added that “the reaction was very quick and that we were lucky that there were recreational boats and fishermen nearby who went to the scene”.
The 1-1-2 received a call at 16.24 hours on Sunday informing of the incident and that other boats were rescuing the occupants of the damaged vessel. A Red Cross boat and a helicopter were sent to the scene to check if there were any more people on the hull of the vessel or in the vicinity, but so far no one has been found.
Members of the Underwater Activities Specialist Group (GEAS) of the Guardia Civil also went to the scene of the incident to participate in the search.
The occupants have been taken to the cruise terminal of the Cartagena dock, where Civil Protection personnel from the Cartagena City Council have assisted them. Three ambulances (one medicalised and two non-assistance) were mobilised there with medical staff from the 061 Health Emergencies and Emergencies Department, as there were more people affected by hypothermia and contusions.