7 dead, 12 hospitalized after harrowing migrant journey to Canary Islands from northwest Africa

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) - Seven people were killed and 12 hospitalized Tuesday after a harrowing maritime journey from northwest Africa to the Spanish Canary Islands.

The Spanish Coast Guard rescued 38 people early Tuesday after a small wooden migrant ship was spotted adrift by a merchant ship late Monday.

Authorities reported that two dead bodies were aboard during the rescue.

But after the migrants made it to shore, emergency services learned the extent of the tragedy -- five others also died during the journey and were thrown off the ship, according to Spanish news agency, EFE.

Other passengers were close to the same fate.

During the rescue, helicopters picked up four passengers in critical condition and rushed them to the hospital, according to officials.

EFE reported that dehydration was so severe that two teenagers, aged 15 and 16, had gone into cardiac arrest. Emergency services were able to revive them, though they remain in hospital.

Once the survivors reached the island of Gran Canaria, they were rescued around 140 kilometers (87 miles) south of the island, emergency services said they rushed eight more people to the hospital, three of whom were also in critical condition.

During the past 12 days, the passengers ran out of drinking water and had to endure very rough seas.

On Sunday, the Canary Islands were under alert for adverse sea conditions, including strong winds and big waves. Several beaches were closed.

Nearly 12,000 migrants had reached the Canary Islands irregularly between Jan. 1 and Feb. 29, According to the latest report from Spain’s Interior Ministry.

That is more than five times the number who came in 2023.

The migration route between the Spanish Canary Islands and northwest Africa is one of the most dangerous in the world.

NGO Walking Borders estimates that more than 6,000 people lost their lives trying to cross last year.

Spain’s Interior Ministry reported that nearly 40,000 people completed the journey in 2023.