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More than 80 feared dead off Gran Canaria
A boat that left Gambia was found adrift southwest of Gran Canaria, with 44 survivors and five bodies aboard.
What happened
Spanish Maritime Rescue located the vessel on Wednesday after it had spent twenty-six days at sea. It took 44 male survivors from sub-Saharan Africa aboard, while five bodies remained because rough weather prevented recovery. Three survivors in critical condition were flown to hospital; others reached Arguineguín by sea.
Numbers
- More than 80People feared dead — Includes a baby
- 44Survivors rescued from vessel
- 26 daysTime adrift at sea
- 5 bodiesFound aboard the boat
Questions
- Why do migrants take this crossing?
- The West Africa–Canary Islands crossing combines long distances, strong currents and rough seas, and thousands attempt it yearly seeking Spanish territory.
- What care did survivors receive?
- Three people in critical condition were airlifted to hospital; remaining survivors reached Arguineguín by sea and received Red Cross care.
- What prevented recovery of the bodies?
- Rough seas prevented retrieval, while rescuers prioritised urgent medical assistance for people still alive on the vessel during the operation.
- How certain is the death estimate?
- The estimate drew on an initial passenger count and survivor accounts, but Maritime Rescue could not verify how many people departed.
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The catch
The original passenger total and final death toll remain unverified, despite estimates based on survivor accounts.
Officials could not confirm departure count.