News

In an effort to clarify the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the 'Bruma', the families of the missing fishermen have united to take decisive action. Following a meeting with Regional Prosecutor Marcela Cartagena, some doubts have been cleared up and important steps have been taken in the investigation. One of the major developments has been the confirmation that forensic divers from the Underwater Operations Department of the Investigative Police (PDI) have conducted expert examinations on the 'Cobra', which remained in the custody of the San Vicente Harbor Master's Office. These examinations were carried out in response to videos, which showed suspicious movements on the vessel under investigation for its alleged involvement in the sinking of the 'Bruma'. In addition to the investigations carried out by the PDI, the fishermen's families have decided to take additional measures. According to Rafael Poblete, the attorney representing them, they have hired a team of private experts to further clarify what happened in the early hours of March 30. This team is composed of a maritime accident investigation specialist, a shipbuilding engineer, and a mechanic. Poblete also addressed the hypothesis put forward by Blumar, owner of the 'Cobra', regarding the possible involvement of another vessel in the tragedy. However, the attorney ruled out this theory based on the traces found on the fishing vessel. At the meeting with Prosecutor Cartagena, the family members also agreed to hold weekly meetings to stay informed about the progress of the investigation. They also reiterated their request that the expert examinations of the 'Cobra' be conducted in a dry dock, in order to obtain more reliable and exhaustive results.The families of the fishermen will return to Constitución, but will closely monitor the progress of the investigation to find answers to this tragic loss.

On the morning of April 18, 2025, several migrant boat departures were reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez off the coasts of Pas-de-Calais and Nord. First, a boat was reported departing from Cap Blanc-Nez. The CROSS deployed an aircraft to monitor the boat's departure and the Gendarmerie's RHIB 'Ouranos', which was then relieved by the 'Cormoran' to continue monitoring the boat. The crew launched their operational droma boat (EDO) to make contact with the boat. The occupants refused the offered assistance. The 'Cormoran' continued its surveillance of the boat until arriving in the British SAR region, where it was taken over by the British emergency services. During the recovery by British assets assisted by the 'Cormoran', one person was reported unconscious. A medevac was coordinated by the British rescue center. The victim was declared dead as they approached Dover. At the same time, the CROSS engaged the 'Oyapock' of the Maritime Gendarmerie, to relocate a migrant boat adrift from Gravelines. Once there, the vessel made contact with the boat's occupants, who refused the assistance offered. Shortly after, the occupants requested assistance from the vessel, which then picked up all nine occupants before dropping them off at the port of Dunkirk. Late in the morning, a migrant boat set sail from Equihen beach. The 'Pluvier' was hired by CROSS to locate and monitor the boat. The boat was heavily laden. While conducting surveillance near the boat, the 'Pluvier' reported the deflation of the boat's inflatable tubes and people who had fallen into the water. The victims in the water were immediately recovered by the 'Pluvier's EDO. The 'Minck' was deployed to support the 'Pluvier'. A total of 15 people were rescued. The other occupants of the boat refused all assistance and resumed their journey, under the supervision of the 'Minck', towards British waters after having managed to reinflate the boat's inflatable tube. In total, 24 people were rescued by French resources.

Around 100 cars were damaged in the fire on the 'Delphine' in the port of Zeebrugge. This was reported by the fire brigade after they entered the area with fire-resistant suits and oxygen bottles. There were 140 vehicles on the affected car deck, of which at least 100 have burned out. Among them many electric cars. Most batteries have burned out completely.The space was still between 60 and 100 degrees warm, which meant that the fire would flare up again if we were to open a hatch and allow oxygen in. Around midnight, nitrogen was supplied to extinguish the fire in that space. On the morning there was another consultation and it was decided not to open the space. The ship was equipped with CO2 tanks and with that the first part of the fire was fought. It will take a long time before the cars are removed from the space. The deck above was full of trailers and they also have to be removed from the ship. A ventilation operation with high-pressure fans started on April 18 at 10:00 a.m. and lasted until the evening. Due to the landward wind direction, there was a risk of smoke and odour nuisance in the area. Fire boats continued to actively cool the hull for fear of a re-emergence.

On the morning of April 18, 2025, several migrant boat departures were reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez off the coasts of Pas-de-Calais and Nord. First, a boat was reported departing from Cap Blanc-Nez. The CROSS deployed an aircraft to monitor the boat's departure and the Gendarmerie's RHIB 'Ouranos', which was then relieved by the 'Cormoran' to continue monitoring the boat. The crew launched their operational droma boat (EDO) to make contact with the boat. The occupants refused the offered assistance. The 'Cormoran' continued its surveillance of the boat until arriving in the British SAR region, where it was taken over by the British emergency services. During the recovery by British assets assisted by the 'Cormoran', one person was reported unconscious. A medevac was coordinated by the British rescue center. The victim was declared dead as they approached Dover. At the same time, the CROSS engaged the 'Oyapock' of the Maritime Gendarmerie, to relocate a migrant boat adrift from Gravelines. Once there, the vessel made contact with the boat's occupants, who refused the assistance offered. Shortly after, the occupants requested assistance from the vessel, which then picked up all nine occupants before dropping them off at the port of Dunkirk. Late in the morning, a migrant boat set sail from Equihen beach. The 'Pluvier' was hired by CROSS to locate and monitor the boat. The boat was heavily laden. While conducting surveillance near the boat, the 'Pluvier' reported the deflation of the boat's inflatable tubes and people who had fallen into the water. The victims in the water were immediately recovered by the 'Pluvier's EDO. The 'Minck' was deployed to support the 'Pluvier'. A total of 15 people were rescued. The other occupants of the boat refused all assistance and resumed their journey, under the supervision of the 'Minck', towards British waters after having managed to reinflate the boat's inflatable tube. In total, 24 people were rescued by French resources.

On the morning of April 18, 2025, several migrant boat departures were reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez off the coasts of Pas-de-Calais and Nord. First, a boat was reported departing from Cap Blanc-Nez. The CROSS deployed an aircraft to monitor the boat's departure and the Gendarmerie's RHIB 'Ouranos', which was then relieved by the 'Cormoran' to continue monitoring the boat. The crew launched their operational droma boat (EDO) to make contact with the boat. The occupants refused the offered assistance. The 'Cormoran' continued its surveillance of the boat until arriving in the British SAR region, where it was taken over by the British emergency services. During the recovery by British assets assisted by the 'Cormoran', one person was reported unconscious. A medevac was coordinated by the British rescue center. The victim was declared dead as they approached Dover. At the same time, the CROSS engaged the 'Oyapock' of the Maritime Gendarmerie, to relocate a migrant boat adrift from Gravelines. Once there, the vessel made contact with the boat's occupants, who refused the assistance offered. Shortly after, the occupants requested assistance from the vessel, which then picked up all nine occupants before dropping them off at the port of Dunkirk. Late in the morning, a migrant boat set sail from Equihen beach. The 'Pluvier' was hired by CROSS to locate and monitor the boat. The boat was heavily laden. While conducting surveillance near the boat, the 'Pluvier' reported the deflation of the boat's inflatable tubes and people who had fallen into the water. The victims in the water were immediately recovered by the 'Pluvier's EDO. The 'Minck' was deployed to support the 'Pluvier'. A total of 15 people were rescued. The other occupants of the boat refused all assistance and resumed their journey, under the supervision of the 'Minck', towards British waters after having managed to reinflate the boat's inflatable tube. In total, 24 people were rescued by French resources.