Canary Islands Tragedy: Migrant Boat Capsize Claims Seven Lives

Tragedy Strikes Canary Islands: Seven Dead After Migrant Boat Capsizes A harrowing incident unfolded off the coast of El Hierro in the Canary Islands on May 28, 2025, leaving at least seven migrants dead. The overcrowded cayuco, a small wooden boat often used by migrants crossing the Atlantic, capsized during a rescue attempt by Salvamento Marítimo, Spain's maritime rescue service. The video footage shows the chaotic scene as the boat overturned, with panicked cries audible amidst the struggle for survival. The victims include women and children, according to 112 Canarias, the emergency services. "It was a horrific scene," said a rescuer who wished to remain anonymous, "We pulled people from the water, many unconscious, some already lifeless." The youngest victim was a girl under five years old, found by divers inside the capsized vessel. The incident underscores the perilous journey undertaken by many migrants seeking refuge in Europe, highlighting the urgent need for safer and more regulated migration routes. The survivors are receiving medical attention and support, while investigations into the causes of the capsizing are underway.