Spanish authorities reported Saturday that nine people have died and 48 others are missing after a boat carrying migrants capsized during a rescue operation near the Canary Islands.
Spain’s maritime rescue service said the tragedy occurred approximately 6 1/2 kilometers (4 miles) from the island of El Hierro. The small boat, loaded with migrants, overturned when too many people moved to one side during the rescue attempt, according to a statement from the rescue service.
Rescuers have saved 27 people and confirmed nine deaths. The search for the 48 missing individuals continues.
The rescue operation was complicated by nighttime conditions and strong winds reaching 20 knots. Multiple agencies participated in the effort, including rescue craft and helicopters from the maritime rescue service, Civil Guard, Red Cross, and local government.
This incident highlights the dangers of the Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands, considered one of the deadliest migration routes in the world. While accurate death tolls are difficult to establish due to lack of information on departures from West Africa, Spanish migrant rights group Walking Borders estimates the victims to be in the thousands.
The Canary Islands have seen a significant increase in migrant arrivals this year, with over 26,000 people reaching the archipelago by sea so far, compared to about 14,000 during the same period last year.
Located closer to Africa than mainland Spain, the Canary Islands are often viewed as a stepping stone to continental Europe. Many migrants come from Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, and other West African countries, seeking better job opportunities or fleeing violence and political instability.
