Wed May 28 13:58:15 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
A small boat carrying over 100 refugees and migrants capsized near the port of El Hierro in the Canary Islands, resulting in the deaths of seven females, including three girls. Spanish rescuers and the Red Cross assisted in the rescue efforts, but the exact number of missing individuals remains uncertain. The accident occurred as rescuers began removing minors from the boat, causing it to tip over due to the sudden movement of people. The Canary Islands have long been a major destination for migrants and refugees attempting the dangerous journey from Africa.
**News Article:**
**Seven Dead After Migrant Boat Capsizes Near Canary Islands**
El Hierro, Canary Islands – Tragedy struck near the shores of El Hierro on Wednesday as a small vessel carrying an estimated 100 refugees and migrants capsized while approaching the port. Spanish emergency services confirmed the deaths of four women, a teenage girl, and two younger girls in the incident.
According to reports, the overcrowded boat tipped over as rescuers began transferring minors to safety, causing a sudden shift in weight and destabilizing the vessel. Emergency services and the Red Cross immediately responded to the scene, pulling survivors from the water.
Red Cross spokesman Alexis Ramos indicated that the exact number of passengers on board remains uncertain, leaving the number of missing individuals unknown. Two children, a girl and a boy, were evacuated by helicopter to a local hospital in critical condition after nearly drowning.
The Canary Islands, located off the western coast of Africa, have become a primary point of entry for migrants and refugees attempting to reach European territory. The perilous journey across the Atlantic Ocean has claimed thousands of lives over the years. In 2023 alone, nearly 47,000 people, primarily from Mali, Senegal, and Morocco, successfully reached the islands, often embarking on the dangerous voyage from the coast of Mauritania. The arrivals include a significant number of unaccompanied children.
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