The trawler went down some 250 nautical miles (463 kilometres) east of Newfoundland
Spain was in mourning Wednesday for its worst fishing tragedy in almost 40 years, as Canadian rescuers warned it was unlikely they would find any of the missing 11 crew members alive.
Search teams have so far confirmed 10 dead, rescued three survivors from a life raft, and the search continues for those unaccounted for.
“Galicia is a big family and when a family is struck by a tragic event, it unites in grief to seek comfort,” he said in announcing three days of mourning for the victims.
Of the 24 crew members, 16 were Spanish, five Peruvians and three Ghanaians.
“This is a job which not only is very hard but is also very dangerous,” he added.
– Challenging weather –
“Although we still hope to find survivors alive, it is now unlikely that other survivors will be found,” Canadian military Lieutenant Nicolas Plourde-Fleury told AFP in an email, adding that the search continued.
Writing on Twitter, Spain’s sea rescue service said rescuers were battling very rough seas with “6-7 metre high waves” that were “complicating the search operation and making visibility difficult”.
Planas said it was operating in a fishing ground “of immense value but which also has very significant climatological problems”.
“I am relieved because he is alive, thank God, but sad because that can’t be said for many of his colleagues,” said Gloria Padin Costas.
“Although we may not be able to find survivors, it is very important for the families to collect the bodies,” the head of the Shipowner’s Cooperative in the northwestern Spanish city of Vigo, Javier Touza, told TV station Antena 3.
Back in Galicia, families of the crew were desperately awaiting news about their loved ones.
“We already know what happens when you fall into waters like those around Newfoundland. Survival is a matter of minutes.”
Suffering from hypothermia, they were airlifted to safety by a Canadian helicopter.
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