Canary Islands Migrant Boat Tragedy: Seven Dead, Hundreds Rescued

Migrant Boat Capsizes off Canary Islands, Leaving Seven Dead A tragic incident unfolded off the coast of the Canary Islands on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, as a boat carrying a large number of migrants capsized, resulting in at least seven fatalities. The victims included four women and three children, according to emergency services. The overcrowded vessel, carrying approximately 180 individuals, overturned near the port of El Hierro, the smallest island in the archipelago. "Many of the passengers shifted to one side of the boat, causing it to capsize," a rescue official stated, highlighting the precarious nature of the vessel and the desperate situation of the migrants. The incident underscores the immense risks involved in this dangerous sea route. Rescue teams responded swiftly and managed to save numerous lives, pulling survivors from the water. Images from the scene show the chaotic rescue efforts, with migrants clinging to life rafts and debris. The sheer number of people in distress is evident, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The Canary Islands have witnessed a record influx of migrants from West Africa in recent years. The perilous journey across the Atlantic Ocean, often undertaken in unseaworthy vessels, has claimed thousands of lives. The 2024 figures, with 4,808 deaths in the first five months alone, paint a grim picture of the human cost of this migration route. This latest tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.