Migrant boat carrying 113 reaches Spain's El Hierro with two dead
Rescue crews recovered 110 survivors, including a baby in critical condition, after the vessel departed Gambia.
By Amelia Foster ·
Two men died and a baby was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition after a migrant boat arrived off the coast of Spain's El Hierro island early Friday. Spanish rescue services confirmed the casualties after the vessel, which originated in Gambia, reached the Canary Islands.
Emergency crews located the boat approximately 37 nautical miles south of El Hierro late Thursday following distress calls. The vessel carried 113 people. Rescuers brought 110 survivors to shore, a group that included eight women and eight minors.
The Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands remains one of the most dangerous migration crossings in the world. Migrants attempt the journey in overcrowded boats to reach Spanish territory, facing rough seas, strong currents, and long distances.
Arrivals on this route typically increase during the autumn months. Sea conditions along the path are generally calmer during this period, making crossings more feasible for those departing from the African coast.
Migrant arrivals in the archipelago have decreased this year compared to 2025. However, crossings increased sharply this month. The surge has placed additional pressure on reception and emergency services, particularly on smaller, less populated islands.
According to the office of the Spanish government's representative in the Canary Islands, migrant arrivals in the archipelago fell 18 percent year-on-year. The total reached 11,527 people to date this year.
Source: KELO
