Emergency services in the Atlantic archipelago confirmed the seven deaths “after the capsizing of a vessel” in La Restinga port on the island of El Hierro.
Spain's maritime rescue service, which located the boat some six nautical miles from shore, said it was carrying 159 people, including 49 women and 32 minors.
Juan Miguel Padron, mayor of El Pinar, north of La Restinga, told local television that some migrants were trapped in the boat and others died during the rescue when the vessel capsized upon reaching what he called “the promised land”.
A three-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl almost drowned and were transported by helicopter to a hospital in Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, the emergency services added.
Spanish broadcaster RTVE aired footage of rescuers throwing lifebuoys to people clinging onto an overturned boat and treading water off El Hierro.
“During the disembarkation, some of the people travelling on the boat crowded on one of the sides, which caused it to tilt and capsize,“ the service said.
Alpidio Armas, head of El Hierro's local government, questioned how the migrants could be saved on the high seas but die in the apparent safety of a port.
'Question of humanity'
Strong ocean currents and ramshackle vessels make the long crossing dangerous.
The central government's representative in the archipelago, Anselmo Pestana, explained that the migrants' fatigue complicated the emergency response in the water.
Local authorities have consistently warned of unsustainable pressure on their resources and complained about a lack of solidarity.
“This is unfortunately what we experience... those who are very far away in offices are incapable of understanding it.”
“Lives lost in a desperate attempt to find a better future,“ he added.
But numbers are down so far this year, dropping 34.4 percent between January 1 and May 15 compared with the same period in 2024, according to interior ministry figures.
government · immigration
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Migrant boat capsize kills seven in Spain's Canary Islands )
Also on site :