A tragic accident occurred near the Canary Islands, leading to nine deaths and 48 people missing, following the capsizing of a migrant boat.
At a Glance
- At least nine people, including a child, confirmed dead after a shipwreck off the Spanish coast.
- 27 people rescued, 48 refugees and migrants missing.
- The boat carried 84 people trying to reach El Hierro, the westernmost of the Canary Islands.
- Search efforts continue, but hopes of finding survivors are fading.
Overcrowding Leads to Tragedy
The tragic incident took place near the Spanish island of El Hierro, where a migrant boat carrying 84 people capsized. The boat overturned during a rescue operation due to instability from overcrowded conditions. Despite the efforts of the Spanish maritime rescue service, powerful winds and darkness impeded the rescue, resulting in the deaths of nine people and 48 individuals still missing.
Three patrol boats and three helicopters are currently deployed in search of the missing individuals. The distress call was received shortly after midnight on Saturday, prompting immediate response from emergency services. Sadly, the missing 48 people are now presumed dead, according to Canary Islands regional President Fernando Clavijo.
At least 9 dead, 48 missing after migrant boat capsizes in Spain’s Canary Islands https://t.co/IVBdusFgOs pic.twitter.com/j0VrZVQLUT
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 28, 2024
The Human Toll
The rescued passengers were found to be suffering from hypothermia and dehydration. The boat’s passengers were primarily from Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal, having departed from Nouadhibou in Mauritania. The survivors’ condition is a stark reminder of the perilous journey they undertook in search of a better life. The deceased, including a child aged between 12 and 15, will be buried on Monday and Tuesday on the island of El Hierro.
“A spokeswoman for the Canary Islands government told Reuters news agency on Sunday that the search continues ‘but it seems that the chances of finding someone alive are slim’.”
The current situation emphasizes the heightened danger of the Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands, a passage known for its deadly outcomes. The region has witnessed a 154% increase in crossing attempts from January to July of this year, amounting to 21,620 migrants.
Historical Context and Response
This incident is one of the deadliest in 30 years of migrant crossings to the Canary Islands. The worst shipwreck in the region occurred in 2009 off Lanzarote, claiming 25 lives. This recent tragedy, coupled with a similar disaster in early September where 39 individuals died off Senegal, has highlighted the growing humanitarian crisis. Calm seas and gentle winds have contributed to the surge in crossings, increasing the strain on rescue operations.
“Canary Islands regional President Fernando Clavijo had told journalists on Saturday night that the 48 people missing are ‘presumed dead’. More bodies will likely appear ‘over the next two, three days’, washed up by the current, he added.”
Despite the dire circumstances, the Spanish maritime rescue service continues its search. Three other boats carrying 208 people successfully reached the Canary Islands during the night, underscoring the continuous and increasing flow of migrants attempting this perilous journey.
