PUERTO DE LA ESTACA, Spain – Spanish authorities resumed search efforts Sunday following a deadly boat capsizing near the Canary Islands, where dozens of migrants remain unaccounted for. At least nine bodies have been recovered so far, and search teams fear that over 48 individuals may have perished in the tragic incident.
The boat, which had embarked from Mauritania in northwest Africa, capsized off the coast of El Hierro, one of the islands in Spain’s Atlantic archipelago. Rescue operations were underway on Saturday when the vessel flipped, sending passengers into the water. Rescuers believe panic among those on board contributed to the accident, with survivors reporting that they had gone days without food or water before being spotted.
Officials said the number of missing could surpass 50, as more bodies are expected to surface in the coming days due to ocean currents. Authorities continue to focus on recovery rather than rescue, given the dire circumstances. Only 27 individuals were pulled from the waters alive.
Canary Islands officials emphasized that the vessel was dangerously overcrowded, with initial estimates suggesting it carried far more people than its capacity. Migrants aboard the vessel had called for assistance themselves, but the boat’s instability worsened as they attempted to be rescued.
This event highlights the persistent dangers faced by those seeking to reach Europe from Africa. Thousands of migrants have died attempting similar crossings on unsafe, overcrowded vessels, often hoping to make it to the Canary Islands as a gateway to mainland Europe.
Earlier this month, a similar disaster occurred when 39 migrants drowned off the coast of Senegal during a failed attempt to reach the Canary Islands. As the migration crisis in the region continues, the need for safer and more secure channels for asylum seekers remains a critical issue.
