Spanish rescue services recovered a migrant boat near Gran Canaria carrying 45 survivors and five dead bodies, while survivors reported to Salvamento Marítimo that the voyage began nearly a month ago with 128 people on board, according to reporting by NOS Nieuws and vrt.be. The vessel was discovered roughly 120 kilometers south of Gran Canaria after a 27-day crossing from Gambia, leaving an estimated 80 people dead along one of the world’s most perilous maritime migration corridors.
Rescue Details and Survivors’ Condition
The discovery was made early in the morning by Salvamento Marítimo, the Spanish state organization operating maritime rescue missions, according to EFE. Rescuers found the boat operating in rough seas featuring winds and 2.5-meter waves, which prevented immediate retrieval of the five deceased individuals still on board. Among the dead are women and mothers with babies, as documented by Spanish media citing official sources. Three of the 45 survivors are in critical condition and have been admitted to local hospitals for urgent medical care, while the remaining passengers undergo evaluations.
Fatalities and the Scale of the Atlantic Route
Survivors told relief workers that the journey started in early August from Gambia with 128 Sub-Saharan African nationals, pointing to an estimated death toll of 80 individuals during the 27-day transit, with bodies presumably thrown overboard during the voyage. According to data from the UN migration agency IOM cited by NOS Nieuws, 1,214 people died on the West African route to the Canary Islands last year, though the organization notes the true figures are likely much higher due to unrecorded wrecks. Vrt.be adds comparative context from Caminando Fronteras, noting that nearly 9,800 migrant fatalities occurred on this same Atlantic crossing.
Calls for Political Action and Authorities’ Response
A Spanish human rights organization stated that authorities were already warned last month when the vessel initially departed from West Africa, raising questions about emergency response times on maritime alerts. Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo reacted on X, as reported by vrt.be, stating, “We might not only be witnesses. The state and Europe must take action. The Atlantic Ocean cannot remain the graveyard of Africa.” Meanwhile, regional authorities and aid groups continue to grapple with surging arrivals that make the archipelago a primary destination for trans-Saharan migration.
Did you know? The route from West Africa to the Canary Islands spans the open Atlantic Ocean, making navigation exceptionally difficult for small wooden boats and increasing the risk of dehydration, starvation, and exposure during multi-week crossings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the migrant boat originate?
According to Spanish media and Salvamento Marítimo reports, the vessel departed from Gambia in early August.
How many people survived the crossing?
Out of 128 people who reportedly boarded the vessel, 45 survivors were found alive by Spanish rescue services near Gran Canaria.
Why couldn’t all the bodies be recovered immediately?
Rough sea conditions, including 2.5-meter waves and strong winds during the rescue operation, prevented the immediate retrieval of the five bodies found on the boat.
What are the official figures for deaths on this route?
The UN migration agency IOM recorded 1,214 deaths on the Canary Islands route last year, while NGO Caminando Fronteras reported nearly 9,800 deaths for the same Atlantic crossing.
Support Quality Reporting: Stay informed on critical global migration developments by subscribing to our newsletter or exploring more in-depth investigative reports on our website. Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below.