Eight Ecuadorian fishermen vanish after Fiorella disappears near Galapagos
Eight crew members of the fishing vessel Fiorella went missing after the boat lost contact while operating near the Galapagos in January, leaving families in limbo.
On Jan 13 the Fiorella set out from Jaramijó, Manabí, with ten fishermen for a month-long tuna and sea-bream expedition. After anchoring near the Galapagos on Jan 20, the captain dispatched two small boats to retrieve gear, but contact was lost and the main vessel vanished, leaving eight crew members missing. Two sailors who returned described seeing a column of smoke and being unable to reach the captain; they eventually abandoned their catch and were rescued by another boat.
Families, including fiancée Maoli and mother Mariana, have received no official explanation and allege that authorities suggested the missing men might have been involved in illicit activities without providing proof. Earlier incidents involving the vessels Negra Francisca Duarte II and Don Maca, in which drones and armed men were reported, have raised concerns about U.S. anti-drug operations; one outlet's report claims the attacks were part of a CIA undercover mission, a claim denied by Washington. The Ecuadorian government has offered limited information, citing challenges of conducting investigations on the high seas.
Why it matters
The disappearances expose dangers to coastal fishers and raise questions about foreign anti-drug actions in international waters.
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