Sailboat runs aground at Papagayo beach after unsuccessful rescue efforts

In the early hours of this morning (Friday), a sailing boat ran aground in Papagayo on the southern tip of Lanzarote, needing to be retrieved by maritime rescue.

The incident occurred around 3:00am, and while the crew members managed to reach safety, the emergency services responded to an SOS call by sending maritime rescue to retrieve the boat by towing it to safety, which proved unsuccessful.

Emerlan, another rescue organisation, was also called for assistance, and upon arrival, confirmed that the two crew members did not require medical attention. They also tried desperately to retrieve the boat by refloating it during high tide and persevered until 4:30am, but the significant amount of water already inside the vessel made it impossible.

As dawn broke, the remnants of the boat had washed up onto the shore of Papagayo Beach, and it was reported that the Yaiza Council would be responsible for its removal. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.