A tragic incident off the coast of Spain’s Canary Islands has left at least nine migrants dead and 48 missing after their boat capsized near El Hierro early Saturday, according to rescue services. This may become one of the deadliest accidents in nearly three decades of migrant crossings to the islands.
Of the 84 migrants on board, 27 were rescued, with survivors hailing from Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal, Spanish authorities confirmed.
The boat, located about four miles from El Hierro, sank during rescue operations after all passengers rushed to one side, causing it to capsize, said Manuel Barroso, head of Spain’s maritime rescue services. Strong winds and poor visibility hampered the rescue efforts.
Rescue teams have recovered nine bodies so far and continue to search for the remaining missing individuals.
Three other boats carrying a total of 208 migrants safely arrived at the Canary Islands overnight.
Local authorities report a significant increase in migrant crossings due to calm seas and favorable weather conditions. This year alone, there has been a 154% rise in arrivals, with over 21,600 migrants making the dangerous journey from Africa to the Canary Islands in the first seven months, according to the EU border agency Frontex.
The last major shipwreck occurred in 2009, when 25 people perished off the island of Lanzarote.
