Four people are still missing from the FV Argos Georgia with the search now called off due to bad weather.
The rescue mission saved 14 members of crew out of 27. Of those, 13 people have been transported to Stanley by the FPV Lilibet for medical care at the hospital. One person is still due to arrive on another vessel.
The crew had abandoned ship around 4 pm on Monday due to the vessel taking on water some 200 miles east of Stanley. Assistance was requested by the vessel from the Falklands Islands Maritime Authority.
Aircraft were dispatched from British Forces South Atlantic but helicopter search and rescue operations were unsuccessful due to bad weather.
The FPV Lilibet and two other fishing vessels made their way to the location of the stricken vessel to help with rescues.
The Falkland Islands Government (FIG) released a statement at 11 am today saying:
“Due to consideration of all circumstances, including the weather conditions forecasted and the safety of those involved in operations, the decision has been made to stop the search and rescue efforts. A further recovery effort will be made to find those still at sea as soon as this is practicable.
The Falkland Islands Government send their thoughts and condolences to all the families involved.”
The Government Delegate of Galicia, Pedro Blanco, gave a press conference around 9 am Falklands time confirming the details and said 10 of the crew are Spanish, eight Russian, five Indonesian, two Uruguayan and two Peruvian.
Mr Blanco said that they have opened a channel of communication with the families and he has spoken personally with all of them, with the commitment to continue informing them of the news of the rescue.
The Councils of Vigo and Baiona have decreed a day of official mourning for the death of the sailors.
The Council of Baiona says the town will hold a minute silence this afternoon in memory of its neighbour and the other victims of the shipwreck of the fishing vessel Argos Georgia.
Reports of the vessel having sunk are unconfirmed, when asked FIG spokesperson Dani Gordon said: “We are unable to comment any further other than the information released in the Press Statement this morning.”
