A vessel believed to have left The Gambia in early August was found with 44 survivors and five bodies after weeks adrift in the Atlantic.
Gran Canaria, Spain (Running Africa) — More than 80 migrants are feared dead after a boat carrying people from West Africa spent 27 days drifting across the Atlantic Ocean before being discovered near Spain’s Canary Islands.
Spanish rescue teams found the vessel about 65 nautical miles southwest of Gran Canaria, with 44 survivors and five bodies on board.
The boat is believed to have departed from The Gambia carrying around 127 people, although authorities have not confirmed the exact number of passengers who began the journey.
Migrant rights activist Helena Maleno Garzón said 83 people, including a baby, were believed to have died during the crossing.
44 Survivors Rescued Near Gran Canaria
Spanish rescuers responded to the vessel in difficult conditions, with strong winds and rough seas complicating the operation.
Three survivors who were in critical condition were airlifted to hospital for urgent medical treatment.
The remaining survivors were transported to Gran Canaria, where authorities and humanitarian services were expected to provide further assistance.
Five bodies were recovered from the vessel.
The reported figure of 83 deaths remains an estimate based on information about the boat’s suspected passenger numbers and those who survived.
Boat Reportedly Departed From The Gambia
The vessel is believed to have left The Gambia as part of the increasingly dangerous migration route connecting the West African coast with Spain’s Canary Islands.
It reportedly spent 27 days at sea, leaving passengers exposed to prolonged shortages of food and water as well as changing weather conditions.
Authorities had not immediately confirmed the nationalities of all those on board or provided a complete account of what happened during the journey.
Canary Islands Route Remains Deadly for Migrants
The tragedy again highlights the dangers of the Atlantic migration route from West Africa to the Canary Islands.
Migrants attempting the crossing frequently travel in overcrowded vessels with limited fuel, food, drinking water and emergency equipment.
Boats can also be pushed far off course by Atlantic currents and weather conditions, increasing the risk that journeys expected to last days turn into prolonged emergencies at sea.
The route has become one of the most dangerous pathways used by migrants seeking to reach Europe.
Migrant Deaths Renew Calls for Action
Authorities in the Canary Islands have repeatedly called for stronger responses to the humanitarian pressures associated with migration along the Atlantic route.
The latest incident adds to concerns over the continuing loss of life at sea.
With 44 people rescued, five bodies recovered and more than 80 migrants feared dead, the disaster underscores the extreme risks faced by people attempting the journey from West Africa to the Canary Islands.
