More than 80 migrants are believed to have died after a boat carrying 128 people capsized off the coast of Gran Canaria, according to Spain's maritime rescue service as quoted by Sky News.
The vessel was reported in distress on Wednesday, prompting a rescue operation off the southern coast of the Canary Islands. It had departed from Gambia on August 7 and spent 27 days crossing the Atlantic before being located near Gran Canaria.
Rescuers reached the boat around midnight and brought the survivors ashore at the port of Arguineguín, where local authorities took them into care. Five bodies were found on the vessel, while difficult weather conditions prevented rescuers from recovering many of the other victims from the sea.
“At dawn this morning, we have confirmed approximately 80 deaths out of a total of 128 passengers,” the Spanish maritime rescue service said.
Helena Maleno, founder of the migrant rights organization Walking Borders, said survivors told her that three women and a baby were among those who died.
