Alpidio Armas

Force in Play

Managing the island's emergency response

Senegalese search teams have recovered 39 bodies from a wooden boat that capsized off the Lompoul dunes near Kebemer, and one person survived. The boat left Saint-Louis for the Canary Islands; 24 victims have been identified and returned to their families, and 11 still await identification.

Updated Yesterday

Rule Changes

Leading the emergency declaration and requests to Madrid

El Hierro's island council declared a social emergency on 7 November 2026, asking Spain's national government and the Canary Islands regional government for staff, money and a way to move new arrivals off the island faster. More than 3,300 people reached the island in about 30 boats in the first week of November alone, on an island of roughly 11,400 residents.

Updated 3 days ago