Tragic Migrant Boat Shipwreck off Canary Islands: 9 Dead, 48 Missing

A migrant boat capsized off Spain’s Canary Islands, resulting in at least nine deaths and leaving 48 missing, Arab News reported yesterday citing the national maritime rescue service.

The vessel, carrying 84 migrants, sent a distress signal shortly after midnight near El Hierro, leading to the rescue of 27 individuals. This incident follows a previous tragedy in early September, where 39 migrants drowned off Senegal while attempting to reach the Canaries.

Canary Islands regional president Fernando Clavijo emphasized the need for urgent action from Spain and the EU to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Since January, over 22,000 migrants have arrived in the Canaries, a significant increase from the previous year. The Atlantic route remains perilous, with the International Organization for Migration reporting nearly 4,857 deaths since 2014, though some NGOs estimate the toll to be as high as 18,680.