At least seven people lost their lives when a migrant boat capsized near the Canary Islands, Spain, while being escorted to port by rescue teams, according to regional emergency services.
The open-topped vessel, reportedly carrying around 180 passengers as per state broadcaster TVE, sank close to La Restinga harbour on El Hierro, the smallest island in the archipelago.
Among the deceased were two 5-year-old girls, a 16-year-old girl, and four women. A spokesperson from Spain's maritime rescue service explained that the boat capsized as many passengers moved to one side, destabilizing the fragile craft as it approached the harbor.
TVE broadcast live footage showing the boat tipping over and throwing passengers, including children, into the water. Rescue crews aboard a nearby vessel threw life preservers and worked to bring survivors onboard.
Local diving clubs and specialist divers assisted the emergency response, according to Alexis Ramos, a Red Cross spokesperson. A medical helicopter was also deployed to aid in the rescue and recovery operations.
Migrant arrivals in the Canary Islands had reached a record high in 2024 but have declined so far this year, according to Interior Ministry data. The Atlantic migration route remains perilous due to unpredictable weather conditions and the use of fragile boats such as dinghies and rafts.
Between January and May 2024, approximately 4,808 people died attempting to cross the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands from West African countries including Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, and Gambia, according to migrant rights organization Walking Borders.
