Migrant boat with 113 people reaches El Hierro after two deaths

Two men were dead when a migrant boat carrying 113 people reached the Spanish island of El Hierro early Friday morning. A baby among the passengers was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition, according to Spanish rescue services.

Emergency crews found the vessel about 37 nautical miles south of the island after receiving distress calls late Thursday. Rescuers brought 110 survivors to shore. The group included eight women and eight minors. The boat had departed from Gambia, a West African nation.

This route across the Atlantic is one of the most dangerous migration paths in the world. Thousands of people attempt the crossing each year in overcrowded boats. They face rough seas, strong currents, and long distances to reach Spanish territory. Autumn is the peak season for these voyages because sea conditions are generally calmer.

Migrant arrivals in the Canary Islands have dropped compared to last year. The office of the Spanish government’s representative in the Canary Islands reported 11,527 arrivals to date. That figure is down 18 percent from the same period in 2025. However, crossings spiked sharply this month. The increase has strained reception centers and emergency services on the smaller, less populated islands.

The arrival adds to the pressure on local resources. The boat carried nearly a hundred and twelve people, a large number for a single vessel on this route. The two men who died had not been named by officials as of Friday morning. The baby remains in the hospital.