LOC16:37
13:37 GMT
MADRID, May 28 (KUNA) -- At least seven migrants, including five women and two girls (aged 16 and 5), died as their boat capsized six miles from a dock on El Hierro Island, of the Canary archipelago.
A Spanish TV channel reported on Wednesday that a baby was still missing, noting that the ill-fated boat was carrying 180 'illegal' migrants.
A tugboat belonging to the Spanish Maritime rescue forces was towing the boat, but capsized as it was preparing to moor due to most of its passengers being concentrated at one end, which caused it to lose balance and overturn completely, reported the television.
An air pocket beneath the boat allowed many people to survive until they were rescued, noting that many were injured and more deaths are likely.
The President of the Canary Islands Fernando Clavijo described the event on his 'X' account a tragedy, expressing deep regret over the incident.
Data from the Spanish non-governmental organization Caminando Fronteras indicates that the journey across the Atlantic Ocean to reach the Canary Islands "is the deadliest in the world."
In its annual report for 2024, the organization stated that there were 9,757 victims on the Canary Islands route, representing 93 percent of total deaths that year. (end)
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