At least seven people, including two young girls, died when a migrant boat capsized near La Restinga harbour on Spain’s El Hierro island in the Canary Islands, emergency services confirmed on Wednesday.
The incident occurred as Spanish maritime rescue crews were escorting the overcrowded vessel, reportedly carrying around 180 people, towards the port. As the boat neared the shore, many passengers rushed to one side, causing it to tip over and sink, a maritime rescue spokesperson said.
Among the dead were two 5-year-old girls, a 16-year-old girl, and four women. Live footage from state broadcaster TVE showed the moment the boat capsized, tossing dozens into the water. Crew members aboard the rescue vessel were seen throwing life vests and trying to pull people from the sea, while others clung desperately to the vessel.
Local diving clubs joined emergency teams in the rescue effort. A medical helicopter was also dispatched to assist in evacuating survivors from the water, said Red Cross spokesperson Alexis Ramos.
The tragedy highlights the dangers of the Atlantic migration route from West Africa to the Canary Islands. Though migrant arrivals to the archipelago have declined in 2025, last year saw a record number of crossings. The Atlantic is known for its unpredictable weather and rough seas, which pose a deadly threat to migrants traveling in fragile boats.
According to human rights group Walking Borders, 4,808 people died attempting the Atlantic crossing to the Canary Islands in the first five months of 2024 alone. Many of the migrants set off from countries such as Senegal, Gambia, Mauritania, and Morocco, seeking a better life in Europe.
