By Xinhua
Madrid : Two Spanish fishermen were found alive Friday after drifting in the Atlantic Ocean south of the Canary Islands for 20 days, the government delegation in Canarias, Spain said.
The two men, who were on a recreational fishing trip and ran out of drinking water eight days ago, were spotted by the merchant ship “Pontovremon” on Friday 160 miles south of the island of Tenerife and were rescued.
Both survivors, boat owner Jose Quevedo and captain Cristo Rey Herrera, are in good health, despite spending eight days without drinking water, said the government delegation.
Their fishing boat “Saulo” left for Gran Canaria on March 13 and two days later Quevedo’s son reported its disappearance after losing contact with the boat.
The case was being investigated as the fishing boat lacked the navigation capabilities to reach the Canary Islands.
The two survivors have been transferred to the merchant ship and are waiting to be flown home, while their boat will be towed to port by a maritime rescue team.