A rescue operation off the Canary Islands unfolded with distressing news as a canoe carrying fifty people, among them two deceased, reached the port of La Estaca by its own means on a Saturday morning. Authorities confirmed the incident and noted that the survivors were picked up by emergency services and transported for medical assessment. The majority of those on board the vessel were in ill health, with reports indicating that six individuals were conveyed to hospital by ambulance, while one person was described as being in very serious condition. Medical teams worked quickly to stabilize the injured and to determine the level of care required for each survivor.
Before finally reaching La Estaca, the same cayuco had reportedly been part of a flotilla that included another vessel designed to accommodate around 170 people and said to be in reasonably good condition. This contrast illustrates the precarious balance between crowded boats and the safety measures that different crafts may or may not meet on open sea routes. Officials emphasized the importance of rapid rescue maneuvers and the coordination among different emergency units to prevent further fatalities as the journey progressed toward commercial and civilian ports on the island chain.
In the hours that followed, a second vessel, also part of the maritime activity near the archipelago, made landfall from the port of Los Cristianos in Tenerife. The exact number of people aboard this third boat remained undetermined at the time, highlighting the ongoing challenge of confirming passenger lists amid dynamic rescue scenarios. Rescue teams maintained vigilance, and additional patrols worked to assess the situation on board and around the vessel to ensure that no one remained in danger as the craft approached shore safety. The coordination involved included maritime escorts and the support of local coast guard resources to manage the arrival process and to organize medical triage in a timely fashion.
As the events unfolded, a rescue escort named Salvamar Alpheratz assisted with the landings, having located a Civil Guard patrol vessel on the Río Guadiato near the waterline around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. This sequence underscores the layered response that characterizes maritime rescue operations in this region, where multiple agencies must align their efforts to secure people, verify identities, and arrange transport to medical facilities when necessary. Civil Protection and emergency medical services remained on standby to respond to new developments as the day progressed, ensuring that those rescued received appropriate care and that any evolving medical needs were addressed promptly.
The latest developments reported two new deaths associated with the broader events around El Hierro, following earlier fatalities near La Restinga. The deceased included a man and a woman who were traveling together in a canoe and who were found in the vicinity of the shoreline. The overall situation involved about sixty-nine people on board across the vessels involved, with responders focusing on protecting life and conducting careful recovery operations while documenting the circumstances for ongoing investigations and future safety assessments.
Survivors to date included 42 men, 16 women and 11 children, reflecting a wide age range among those rescued and the critical role of protective services in managing medical needs, family reintegration, and psychological support for the most vulnerable. The emergency network actively coordinated follow-up care, with hospitals prepared to accommodate patients requiring ongoing treatment and monitoring as more information became available and as survivors received rest and medical attention after the intense ordeal.
Authorities reported that five people required medical transfer in the aftermath, including a man experiencing severe abdominal pain, two women with moderate dehydration, and two other women with moderate injuries. Medical teams worked to stabilize each case, determine appropriate deportation or relocation strategies, and ensure that all survivors had access to essential resources, such as hydration, pain management, and monitoring for potential complications related to heat exposure, fatigue, or seasickness. The ongoing response illustrated the complexity of managing multiple high-stress incidents in a single maritime corridor and the importance of clear communication among agencies to navigate evolving conditions on the water.