A large-scale rescue operation unfolded overnight Saturday in the waters off the island of El Hierro. Twenty-three nautical miles from La Restinga, a boat carrying a large group of migrants was discovered. Preliminary estimates put the number of people on board between 70 and 100. From the very first minutes after discovery, it was clear the situation was critical: some individuals required urgent medical attention, and, unfortunately, several people were found dead.
The distress call reached emergency services around 6:25 a.m. Operators at the coordination center received an alarming message: a vessel near the island was requesting help. In response, maritime rescue teams were immediately deployed, including a rescue boat and a helicopter.
Contact was established by phone with one of the passengers. The man reported that those on board had been without water and food for an extended period, and the boat had come to a stop about 16 miles from shore. The condition of many passengers was a serious cause for concern.
Rescue operation and the condition of the migrants
A rescue boat and helicopter were dispatched to the scene. By 8:15 a.m., rescuers had begun evacuating people from the boat. According to their reports, there were men, women, and possibly minors on board. Several individuals were in extremely critical condition, and some showed no signs of life.
Rescuers acted as quickly as possible to bring the survivors to the port of La Restinga. The boat carrying the evacuees was expected to reach the shore around 11:00. At that time, medical teams and support staff were already on standby at the dock, ready to provide assistance.
While the evacuation was underway, other rescue vessels and a helicopter continued to operate in the incident area. Their task was to locate another boat, information about which had arrived earlier. The search was complicated by weather conditions and limited visibility.
The search for the second boat and the actions of the rescuers
In parallel with the main operation, the helicopter crew and another rescue boat scanned the waters around El Hierro. According to available information, another boat carrying migrants in need of help might be in the area. Rescuers continued their search despite exhaustion and challenging sea conditions.
In recent weeks, the flow of migrants to the Canary Islands has increased significantly. Just in the past 24 hours, hundreds of people have arrived on the shores of El Hierro. Many of them make the perilous journey on overloaded and poorly equipped boats, risking their lives in hopes of a better future.
Rescue services note that such operations require maximum focus and seamless coordination. Every minute counts, and the speed of response determines the lives of dozens of people.
The situation in the Canary Islands and the response of emergency services
Authorities in the Canary Islands and throughout Spain continue to strengthen measures to control and respond to migration flows. Additional teams of doctors, psychologists, and social workers are on duty at ports. Their task is not only to provide first aid but also to support people who have endured a harrowing ordeal at sea.
Local residents and volunteers are also actively involved in welcoming arrivals. They help with accommodation, distribute water, food, and basic necessities. Despite fatigue and emotional strain, rescuers and volunteers remain determined to continue their work.
Additional information on the condition of the rescued and the outcome of the search for the second boat is expected in the coming hours. The operation remains in its active phase, with all resources focused on preventing further tragedies.
As RUSSPAIN.COM previously reported, two boats carrying 403 migrants, including women and children, arrived on the shores of El Hierro in a single night. Rescuers accompanied them to La Restinga, and the operation continued throughout the night and morning. You can read more about this in our article “More than 400 migrants arrived in El Hierro on two boats in one night”.
