Tragedy in the port of La Restinga (El Hierro) and EU responsibility for rescue and migration policies

Question for written answer E-002167/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Isabel Serra Sánchez (The Left)

On 28 May 2025, an open boat carrying more than 180 people from Senegal capsized as it arrived in the port of La Restinga on the island of El Hierro in the Canaries. Despite being aided by members of Spain's maritime rescue service just five metres from the quay, at least four women and three girls died, and one baby is missing. This incident once again highlights the painful consequences of the EU's migration policies: a dearth of legal, safe routes; the criminalisation of migrants; and the lack of effective public resources for rescue operations.

In view of the above:

• 1.Is the Commission intending to investigate what happened in El Hierro and assess the actions of the Spanish authorities with regard to rescue operations at sea and the protection of people who migrate?
• 2.What steps is the Commission going to take to ensure legal and safe routes and strengthen public rescue schemes in response to the outsourcing and militarisation of migration policy?
• 3.Is the Commission intending to promote specific protection measures for women and girls who migrate, as victims of intersectional violence, in accordance with the gender equality strategy 2020-2025?

Submitted: 29.5.2025