On Monday morning, a large-scale rescue operation unfolded in the Atlantic, about twenty kilometers off the coast of El Hierro. Spanish maritime service personnel brought 235 people to safety from an overcrowded boat, including 22 children. Their journey lasted almost twelve days, during which time they faced severe hardships.
The boat departed from Gunjur in Gambia. On board were men and women, most of them from West African countries: Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Gambia, Mauritania, Côte d’Ivoire, and Niger. According to survivors, their journey was fraught with danger, and conditions on the vessel worsened day by day.
The vessel was detected thanks to a monitoring system installed on the coast. Radar identified the boat moving southwest of La Restinga. Due to the large number of people onboard and worsening weather, two rescue boats were dispatched to the scene. Attempts to tow the vessel failed—waves and wind made the operation too risky.
Ultimately, all passengers were transferred to the rescue boats and brought to the port of La Restinga. Medical staff and volunteers provided necessary assistance onshore to those who needed support. Many of the rescued were exhausted and dehydrated, but serious injuries were avoided. The operation was one of the largest in recent months in this part of the Canary Islands.
