6 migrants die on journey to Spain’s Canary Islands

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) - The bodies of six migrants were found among survivors of small boats that reached Spain’s Canary Islands overnight, emergency services reported Thursday.

One vessel arrived at the port on the island of El Hierro after navigating through stormy weather and large waves. Authorities found four dead passengers upon its arrival, and another person died of a heart attack shortly after disembarking.

Of the 74 survivors on board, 13 were sent to the hospital, including one person who was airlifted to a larger medical center on the nearby island of Tenerife.

The Spanish coast guard intercepted three other vessels at sea.

The first boat carried 67 people who were treated by medical staff but did not require hospitalization. The second boat was carrying 65 passengers who were reported to be in stable condition. On the third vessel, authorities found one deceased person along with 62 survivors, two of whom required hospitalization.

According to broadcaster RTVE, the small island of El Hierro, with a population of just 11,000, has buried 38 migrants this year.

The broadcaster noted that the local cemetery has buried more migrants than residents in 2024.

Spain’s Interior Ministry data shows that more than 41,400 migrants have survived the treacherous journey to the Canary Islands so far this year, marking a 17% increase compared to the same period last year.

The migration route typically involves migrants departing from northwest Africa in small, overcrowded boats and crossing anywhere from 100 to 1,600 kilometers of the Atlantic Ocean.

The non-governmental organization Walking Borders estimates that 5,054 people died attempting the journey during the first five months of 2024.