On May 28, a tragic incident in La Restinga, El Hierro saw a vessel capsize, resulting in the drowning of seven women and girls. This event highlighted the perilous nature of migration from Africa amidst increasing EU restrictions, leading many to opt for dangerous crossings to the Canary Islands. In 2024 alone, over 20,000 migrants arrived at El Hierro, revealing that nearly half of boat passengers are women and girls fleeing conflicts in regions like Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, which has led to significant displacement.
Photos and videos of the chaotic scenes show the boat partially submerged and completely overturned, with several people struggling to swim around it and others trying to climb on to the wrecked boat.
More than 20,000 migrants arrived in El Hierro in 2024, according to the Red Cross—almost double the island's population. The incident also shone a light on the large numbers of women and girls now attempting the long and dangerous migration route.
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