Tragedy struck in Spain’s Canary Islands as seven individuals lost their lives when an overcrowded migrant boat capsized while preparing to disembark. This incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by those attempting to navigate perilous migration routes.
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Emergency services in the Atlantic archipelago confirmed that rescuers, supported by a helicopter, were actively searching for survivors in the port of La Restinga, located on the island of El Hierro.
Juan Miguel Padron, the mayor of El Pinar municipality, noted on local television that “approximately 145 to 150 people” were on board the ill-fated vessel.
Footage broadcasted by Spanish public broadcaster RTVE depicted rescuers throwing lifebuoys to individuals struggling in the water and clinging to the overturned boat off the coast of El Hierro.
The emergency service explained, “During the disembarkation, individuals on the boat gathered on one side, causing it to tilt and ultimately capsize. The transfer of people is the most delicate moment of the operation; when vessels are overloaded and security conditions are precarious, the risks significantly increase.”
Fernando Clavijo, president of the Canary Islands, visited the port of La Restinga following the incident, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
‘A Matter of Humanity’
Each year, Spain welcomes tens of thousands of migrants seeking a future in Europe, often arriving from West Africa, particularly from nations like Mali, Senegal, and Morocco. However, treacherous ocean currents and insecure vessels make this journey alarmingly dangerous.
According to the NGO Caminando Fronteras, more than 10,457 migrants died or went missing while attempting to reach Spain by sea from January 1 to December 5, 2024. Local authorities have expressed ongoing frustration over the unsustainable strain on their resources and a perceived lack of support from the broader Spanish nation.
Clavijo stated, “We urge the European Union to take decisive action. Those who are distant and removed in offices fail to grasp the reality we face here.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reflected on the tragedy in a post on X, stating, “The loss of life should resonate with us all—lives cut short in a desperate quest for a better future. We must respond with humanity.”
In 2024, nearly 47,000 irregular arrivals reached the archipelago, setting a record for the second consecutive year, as tightening controls in the Mediterranean pushed migrants toward the Atlantic route. Interestingly, recent data indicates a decline in numbers, showing a 34.4% drop between January 1 and May 15 compared to the same period in 2024, according to the latest figures from the interior ministry.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
