At least 15 people are injured and boy, 10, is ‘seriously hurt’ after passenger ferry ran aground off Ibiza
- At least 15 people including a child have been injured in Ibiza ferry crash
- Coastguards evacuated passengers and helicopter airlifted child to hospital
- Ferry was travelling between Ibiza and the neighbouring island of Formentera
- The nationalities of those injured including the child are not yet known
At least 15 people including a child have been injured after a passenger ferry ran aground on an islet off the coast of Ibiza last night.
Coastguards helped evacuate those onboard the FRS ferry – called San Gwann – while a helicopter airlifted a boy, aged 10, to hospital.
The ferry, which had 35 passengers and 12 crew on board, was travelling between Ibiza and the neighbouring island of Formentera when it ran aground on an islet known as Es Malvins.
At least 15 people including a child have been injured after a passenger ferry ran aground on an islet off the coast of Ibiza last night
Coastguards helped evacuate those onboard the FRS ferry – called San Gwann – while a helicopter airlifted a boy, aged 10, to hospital
The nationalities of those injured including the child are not yet known. The boy is thought to be seriously hurt, though the other passengers are believed to have suffered minor injuries.
FRS Ferry said: ‘The San Gwann Ferry operated by FRS which covers the route Ibiza-Formentera suffered an accident on Saturday after running aground on the islet of Es Malvins following its departure from Ibiza at 9.30pm.
‘FRS has activated its security and emergency protocols and immediately informed the authorities of the incident. At the time of the accident 35 passengers and 12 crew were on board.
‘After the impact the crew helped the passengers until they were all evacuated.
View of the islet in Ibiza, where a ferry operated by the FRS company crashed against it
The ferry, which had 35 passengers and 12 crew on board, was travelling between Ibiza and the neighbouring island of Formentera when it ran aground on an islet known as Es Malvins
‘FRS would like to thank Spanish Coastguards who were involved in the rescue operation and the evacuation of the vessel, as well as the other institutions who have participated in the evacuation.’
Francina Armengol, president of the regional Balearic Islands government, tweeted shortly after the accident: ‘Following very closely the ferry accident off Ibiza.
‘The crew and the passengers are being evacuated and the injured are receiving the necessary medical attention.’
Thousands of holidaymakers travel to Formentera every summer by ferry from Ibiza. The paradise island is famed for its long white sandy beaches and crystal-clear water.
Recent visitors to Formentera have included Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon who was videoed treating fans to an impromptu performance at a famous restaurant on the island.