Rescue operation is underway as passenger ferry collides with pleasure boat off Gran Canaria
- A passenger ferry collided with another vessel off the island of Gran Canaria
- Spanish Coastguards rescued all three people on board the pleasure boat
- The ferry involved in the collision belongs to Spanish firm Naviera Armas
Three people have been rescued from the water after a passenger ferry collided with a pleasure boat off the coast of Gran Canaria.
Spanish Coastguards have said they have rescued all three people on board the pleasure boat – and confirmed 15 people did not end up in the water as first feared.
A spokesman said: ‘All three people who were in the water have been rescued by helicopter and taken to Doctor Negrin Hospital in Gran Canaria.
‘We can confirm initial fears 15 people had jumped or fallen into the water are incorrect.’
Three people have been rescued from the water after a passenger ferry collided with a pleasure boat off the coast of Gran Canaria
He was unable to give out any information on the nationalities of the trio taken to hospital, who were reportedly on a pontoon boat.
An onlooker called Fernando Rivas filmed the ferry listing heavily to one side as it headed back to port in Las Palmas with a tug and coastguard vessel close by.
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He said as he videoed the scene: ‘It must be leaking water. Alboran is listing pretty badly as it’s coming in.’
The ferry involved in the collision, which belongs to Spanish firm Naviera Armas and covers the route between the Gran Canaria capital Las Palmas and the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz, is on its way back to its starting point.
Spanish Coastguards have said they have rescued all three people on board the pleasure boat
The alarm was sounded at 4.30pm local time.
As well as Spanish Coastguard helicopter Helimer 202, two coastguard vessels have been mobilised.
Earlier, a Madrid-based Spanish Coastguard spokesman said: ‘A passenger ferry called Alboran has collided with a pleasure boat off the north of Gran Canaria.
‘Initial reports were that several people had fallen into the water from the pleasure boat.
The ferry (pictured) involved in the collision belongs to Spanish firm Naviera Armas
‘A search and rescue operation has been launched.
‘The coastguard helicopter Helimer 202 has already rescued two people from the water.’
Alboran is one of more than a dozen ferries and fast ferries operated by Naviera Armas which transports passengers and freight.
It can carry 868 passengers and 16 crew members as well as 220 vehicles.
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