Tragic refugee disaster off the Spanish coast: The deadliest in 30 years is looming

On Sunday, patrol boats and helicopters resumed the search for around 48 migrants who went missing after their boat sank near the Spanish island of El Hierro. This incident could be the deadliest in 30 years of migrant crossings from Africa to the Canary Islands.

Tragically, nine people, including a child, were confirmed dead after their boat sank early Saturday morning, rescue and rescue services reported.

Rescue workers managed to save 27 of 84 migrants trying to reach the Spanish coast. According to a spokesman for the Spanish Coast Guard, searches continued, with three patrol boats and three helicopters involved. Authorities said the migrants came from Mali, Mauritania and Senegal.

The operation posed major challenges due to the wind and poor visibility. Emergency services received a distress call just after midnight on Saturday saying the boat was about four miles east of El Hierro. Despite rescue efforts, the boat sank during the operation. Candelaria Delgado, from the Canary Islands government, warned that this could lead to the biggest humanitarian crisis the islands have faced in three decades.

A makeshift mortuary was set up on El Hierro as hopes of finding more survivors dwindled. The nine deceased migrants, including a child between the ages of 12 and 15, will be buried on Monday and Tuesday. Meanwhile, three more boats with 208 migrants reached the Canary Islands.

The calm seas and gentle winds of late summer have led to an increase in migrant crossings, with a significant increase of 154% reported this year. According to the European Union’s border protection agency, Frontex, 21,620 migrants crossed the border in the first seven months. The worst ship accident to date occurred off Lanzarote in 2009 and claimed 25 lives.

(With contributions from agencies.)