A tragic incident has occurred off the coast of Spain’s Canary Islands, where a boat carrying around 150 migrants capsized as it approached the port of La Restinga on El Hierro island. The accident claimed the lives of four women and three young girls, including a 16-year-old and two children believed to be under the age of five.
According to Spain’s maritime rescue service, the migrant boat was being escorted by the Salvamar Diphda rescue vessel when it suddenly overturned near the dock. The boat, already filled with exhausted passengers after a difficult ocean journey, capsized due to the shifting movement of people onboard. Emergency workers, local business staff, and a diving team responded quickly to rescue those thrown into the water.
Among the survivors, two children aged three and five were in critical condition and airlifted to a hospital in Tenerife. A three-month-old baby with breathing issues was also rushed to a local hospital for urgent care. Despite the rescue efforts, seven lives were lost just moments before the migrants could reach safety.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it a heartbreaking loss. He offered condolences to the victims’ families and praised the emergency teams for their efforts. “The tragedy that unfolded in El Hierro should move us all,” he posted on social media. “We must rise to the occasion. It is a matter of humanity.”
This heartbreaking event adds to the long list of tragedies on the Canary Islands route, which last year alone resulted in more than 10,400 deaths, according to the NGO Caminando Fronteras. As tighter controls and crackdowns affect migration through the Mediterranean, more people are risking their lives via the Atlantic route — a path known for strong currents and unsafe conditions.
Although official data shows a one-third drop in arrivals to the Canary Islands from January to mid-May this year, the route remains extremely dangerous. Migrants often use unseaworthy boats in hopes of reaching Europe, fleeing poverty, violence, or instability in their home countries.
What caused the migrant boat to capsize?
Authorities say the boat tipped over as people inside shifted positions while it was nearing the dock, likely due to exhaustion after a long and rough sea crossing.
Anselmo Pestana, the Spanish government’s representative in the Canary Islands, said the seas near El Hierro had been rough in recent days, making the migrants’ journey even more difficult. “This is the most delicate moment of a rescue,” he explained, noting that many migrants were likely extremely weak as they neared the port.
Fernando Clavijo, the Canary Islands’ regional president, described the event as part of a larger tragedy. “We are once again seeing the harshest side of immigration, which affects children. Sadly, this vessel capsized just when they had achieved their dream,” he said.
This incident highlights the urgent need for safer migration options and stronger international support for vulnerable people seeking a better life. It also raises questions about how Europe can respond more humanely to ongoing migration challenges.