The boat was seconds from the dock at La Restinga, on the Canary island of El Hierro, when it tipped over on Wednesday morning. Several of the people aboard had stood up and tried to jump off before it stopped. Seven died, among them four women and three girls aged between four and sixteen. A baby is missing.
The boat had reportedly come from Senegal with around 180 people on board. Emergency services said many of them were trapped underneath it when it flipped.
Rescue at the dock
Local fishermen and staff from a nearby dive school helped rescuers pull people out of the water. Coastguard, police and Red Cross teams are still searching. A man and a woman are in critical condition in hospital, and a medical helicopter was brought in to move the most seriously hurt. A young girl was treated at the dock for serious injuries.
Anselmo Pestana, the Spanish government’s representative in the Canary Islands, said the passengers had endured a long, exhausting crossing of rough seas. Many, he said, had no strength left to react when the boat overturned.
Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo was already on the island and went to the port. “You feel completely helpless,” he said. “My thoughts are with the rescue teams and medical staff doing everything they can.”
A ministerial visit
The accident came shortly before a visit by Spain’s Minister for Youth and Children, Sira Rego. She planned to meet local organisations to discuss how centres for young migrants are run. Her trip continues in Gran Canaria the next day.
