Refugees from Africa: Seven migrants died in front of Canary Islands at boat accident

At least seven migrants died in a boat accident in front of the Canary Islands. Two of the fatalities were only five years old, another only 16, the Canarian emergency service said. The misfortune happened when the boat was towed by the Spanish lifeguard service to the port of La Resttinga on the island of El Hierro. Shortly before the finish, the boat suddenly capsized, as the state television station RTVE and other Spanish media reported, citing the rescue teams.

TV cameras record the misfortune

According to the estimates, up to 180 people were on board. Several of them are still missing, including a baby. The rescue operation was recorded by a television team on video. The recordings show how some migrants climb the Kaimauer with the help of ropes. Others are pulled out of the water by emergency services on their hands, while many more persevere to rescue in the water or on the hull.

According to RTVE, the emergency services in the port reacted immediately and quickly took care of the occupants that went overboard. But the large number of victims made the rescue difficult. An air bladder inside the wooden boat made it possible for most people to be saved alive.

Boot probably got out of balance

The cause of the accident is unclear. “The drama that has happened on El Hierro should shake all of us. Life has been lost in the desperate attempt to find a better future,” said Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on the platform X. Migrants, from West Africa in crowded and actually not highly seashy, try to achieve the Canaries – an island group in front of the western coast of Africa.