In total, four boats were supported by rescue services near this island, the smallest of the Spanish archipelago located off the coast of northwest Africa.
One of them was able to reach the port of El Hierro, “where the death of four people was noted, then a fifth, victim of cardio-respiratory arrest”, indicated the emergency service 112 on his X account.
The three other boats were intercepted by the rescue services off the coast of El Hierro, according to the emergency service, which specified that another deceased person was on board one of these boats.
The total number of people who were present on board these boats is not yet known, a spokesperson for 112 told AFP.
New arrivals record
The number of migrants entering Spain irregularly via the Canary Islands has increased sharply in recent months, until at the end of November it exceeded the annual record set in 2023, according to the Ministry of the Interior.
According to monthly data from the ministry, 41,425 migrants landed in this Spanish archipelago between January and November, compared to 39,910 for the whole of last year.
These massive arrivals have pushed the Canary Islands authorities to sound the alarm, saying they are incapable of managing the influx of unaccompanied minors, whom they must take care of in reception centers.
According to authorities, thousands of people have died in recent years trying to reach Europe by the Atlantic route from Africa, mainly via the Canaries.
The frequent shipwrecks do not prevent this route from becoming more attractive, because it is less monitored than the Mediterranean route.
