A boat carrying migrants was rescued off the Canary Islands with 44 survivors, but a Spanish migrant NGO says more than 80 people likely died during a journey that began in The Gambia 27 days earlier, according to reports.
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Key facts
- Rescuers found 44 survivors aboard the vessel, according to the BBC.
- Bad weather meant rescuers had to leave five bodies behind, according to the BBC.
- A Spanish migrant NGO says more than 80 people likely perished, according to Al Jazeera.
- The boat left The Gambia 27 days before being found, according to Al Jazeera.
More than 80 migrants are feared dead after a boat was rescued off the Canary Islands, according to reports from the BBC and Al Jazeera.
Rescuers found 44 survivors on board the vessel, the BBC reported. Bad weather meant they had to leave five bodies behind.
A Spanish migrant NGO says more than 80 people likely perished on the boat, according to Al Jazeera. The organisation said the vessel had left The Gambia 27 days before it was found.
Al Jazeera reported that five people were confirmed killed, with dozens more feared dead on the boat that had been adrift off the Canary Islands.
The reports do not provide further details on the nationalities of those on board, the exact location of the rescue, or the operation to recover the survivors.
Why it matters
If confirmed, the feared death toll would mark a significant loss of life on a sea crossing that, according to Al Jazeera, lasted 27 days from The Gambia.
Frequently asked questions
How many people survived the crossing?
Rescuers found 44 survivors on board the vessel, according to the BBC.
How many people are feared dead?
A Spanish migrant NGO says more than 80 people likely perished on the boat, according to Al Jazeera, with five confirmed killed.
Where did the boat come from?
The boat left The Gambia 27 days before it was found, according to the Spanish migrant NGO cited by Al Jazeera.
Timeline
- Five killed, dozens more feared dead in boat adrift off Canary Islands
Al Jazeera: Spanish migrant NGO says more than 80 people likely perished on the boat that left The Gambia 27 days ago.
- More than 80 migrants feared dead after boat rescued off Canary Islands
BBC World: Rescuers found 44 survivors on board the vessel but bad weather meant they had to leave five bodies behind.