Rescue divers recovered the bodies of two women from a car that went into the water at the port of Algeciras as it tried to board a ferry. Four people were in the vehicle when it crashed into the sea in the early hours. Two men got out and were taken to hospital, one in critical condition.
The crash happened at one of the embarkation ramps used by ferries crossing the Strait. Euronews and other media reported that it occurred between 00:24 and 00:30 at the Muelle de Galera, an area set aside for ferry boarding. Emergency services received a call just after midnight reporting that a car had gone off the quay while trying to board a vessel. The cause remains unknown, and authorities have released no further details about what led up to the incident.
When first responders arrived, the two men had already exited the sinking car. Both were taken to Punta de Europa Hospital in Algeciras. The women, aged 71 and 43, were trapped inside and could not be rescued despite efforts by GEAS divers, who recovered their bodies from the submerged vehicle. El Mundo reported that maritime rescue and firefighters took part in the operation, along with port police and medical teams.
Port operations were briefly interrupted as emergency teams secured the area and began investigating. The identities and nationalities of the victims have not been released. Officials are awaiting the results of standard checks to clarify the circumstances. The port of Algeciras is one of Spain’s busiest, handling passenger and freight traffic between Europe and North Africa. Several Spanish news outlets reported that fatal accidents like this are rare.
The incident has raised questions about safety at ferry boarding points as the investigation continues. It comes amid increased attention to port security and procedures, especially after recent unrest in other Spanish enclaves, including events in Ceuta, reported earlier, which also tested emergency response systems.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not confirmed a specific cause. El Mundo reported that some accounts had cited fog and driver error, while others mentioned a wrong maneuver as possible explanations. None had been officially validated.
Spain’s ports handle millions of passengers and vehicles each year, with Algeciras serving as a major link between Europe and North Africa. Managing high traffic, especially during peak periods, requires strict safety measures. The investigation will focus on what went wrong and whether boarding procedures need to change to prevent similar tragedies.
