Seven dead in Canary Islands boat tragedy

Four women and three young girls have died following a tragic incident in which a boat carrying dozens of migrants capsized.

The Guardian reports that the boat was about to dock at a port on El Hierro, one of Spain’s Canary Islands, when it capsized.

The vessel, which was believed to be transporting approximately 150 people, overturned near La Restinga harbour on Wednesday, May 25, 2025.

This turned what was meant to be the end of a treacherous journey into a deadly disaster.

Spain’s maritime rescue service reported that the migrant boat was spotted about six miles from La Restinga.

The rescue vessel Salvamar Diphda was dispatched to escort the migrant boat safely to shore.

However, as the boat approached the dock, it suddenly capsized.

According to the rescue service, the instability was likely caused by a shift in weight as people moved on board, tipping the already unstable craft.

In the immediate aftermath, emergency response teams were joined by workers from nearby businesses.

Also, a local diving team in a frantic effort to rescue those thrown into the sea.

Among the victims were a 16-year-old girl and two other girls believed to be under the age of five.

Emergency services also reported that two children, aged three and five, were in critical condition and were airlifted to a hospital in Tenerife.

A three-month-old baby who was having difficulty breathing was also taken to a local hospital for urgent medical attention.

Reacting to the heartbreaking news, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez offered his condolences and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families.

He praised the efforts of the rescue and medical personnel and highlighted the emotional toll of the event.

In a message posted on social media, Sánchez said, “The tragedy that unfolded in El Hierro should move us all.

“Lives lost in a desperate attempt to find a better future.

“We must rise to the occasion. It is a matter of humanity,” she added.

This incident adds to the growing list of fatalities along the perilous Atlantic migration route to the Canary Islands, one of the most dangerous pathways to Europe.

The non-governmental organization Caminando Fronteras reported that over 10,400 people lost their lives on this route in 2023 alone.

With the European Union increasing efforts to tighten control over migration through the Mediterranean, many migrants have turned to the Atlantic route despite its known dangers.

The journey often involves overcrowded, unseaworthy vessels that are ill-equipped to handle strong ocean currents and unpredictable weather conditions.

Although last year saw a record number of people attempting to reach the Canary Islands by sea, recent statistics show a decline.

Between January 1 and May 15 of this year, the number of arrivals fell by a third compared to the same period in 2023, according to Spanish government data.

Anselmo Pestana, the central government’s representative in the Canary Islands, addressed the media following the incident.

He noted that rough sea conditions around El Hierro had made navigation particularly hazardous in recent days.

He suggested that the passengers likely endured a long and exhausting voyage before arriving near the harbor.

“We know that this is the most delicate moment of a rescue,” he emphasized, referring to the final approach to shore, often a tense and chaotic phase of such missions.

Fernando Clavijo, the president of the Canary Islands, described the incident as a stark reminder of the broader humanitarian crisis affecting the region.

He pointed out the devastating impact migration continues to have on vulnerable populations, especially children.

“Once again, we are seeing the harshest side of immigration, which affects children, and unfortunately so,” he said.

“In this case, the vessel capsized at the dock, just when they had achieved their dream.”

The tragedy has once again spotlighted the desperate circumstances driving people to risk their lives at sea.

Also, it has highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive, humane responses to migration across Europe and beyond.

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