Eleven Migrants Dead as Boat from Gambia Reaches El Hierro

The Atlantic crossing from West Africa to Spain remains one of the most dangerous maritime routes in the world. Early Friday, a boat carrying 113 people from Gambia arrived near El Hierro in the Canary Islands after a distress signal was sent late Thursday.

Spanish rescue services reported that two men were found dead aboard the vessel. Medics airlifted one baby to a hospital in critical condition. The remaining 110 survivors were brought ashore, a group that included eight women and eight minors.

The vessel was located approximately 37 nautical miles south of El Hierro. Emergency crews responded to the call and coordinated the extraction of the passengers onto the island.

Autumn months often see a rise in arrivals as sea conditions become more predictable. Although total arrivals have dropped 18% compared to 2025, reaching 11,527 people so far this year, this month has seen a sharp increase in crossings. The surge is placing extra strain on emergency and reception services on the smaller, less populated islands of the archipelago.

The Spanish government representative in the Canary Islands provided the arrival figures. The recent uptick in traffic follows a period of generally calmer waters that encourages more migrants to attempt the long distance to Spanish territory.