approximately 80 people had died from the 128 passengers
Around 80 people have died after a migrant boat carrying 128 passengers got into serious difficulty off the coast of Gran Canaria, Spain.
Spain’s Maritime Rescue organisation confirmed the deaths after rescuers reached the vessel around midnight on Wednesday.
The boat had reportedly departed from The Gambia on August 7 and had spent 27 days at sea before reaching the Canary Islands.
Emergency responders located the vessel off the southern coast of Gran Canaria after receiving reports that it was in serious difficulty.
Rescuers then travelled to the boat and brought surviving passengers ashore at the Arguineguín pier.
Maritime Rescue said approximately 80 people had died from the 128 passengers believed to have been aboard.
Five bodies were reportedly found on the vessel when rescuers reached it.
The bodies of many others could not be recovered because of difficult weather conditions.
According to Helena Maleno, founder of the migrant support organisation Walking Borders, survivors said three women and a baby were among those who died.
The deaths have renewed concerns about the dangers faced by people attempting to cross the Atlantic from West Africa.
The Atlantic route towards the Canary Islands is considered one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes.
Thousands of migrants attempt the journey each year, often travelling in overcrowded boats across long stretches of open ocean.
The route can expose passengers to rough seas, strong currents and difficult weather conditions.
Canary Islands regional leader Fernando Clavijo described the latest tragedy as further evidence that urgent action is needed on migration.
He said it was unacceptable for lives to continue being lost while crossing the Atlantic.
The latest incident comes after a series of deadly migration-related incidents involving people attempting to reach Spanish territory.
The Canary Islands have become a major destination for migrants travelling from countries across West Africa.
Many people undertake the dangerous journey in search of safety, stability and better opportunities in Europe.
The latest deaths have once again highlighted the human cost of migration routes across the Atlantic.
Authorities are continuing to care for those who survived the crossing while further information about the victims is expected to emerge.
The tragedy has renewed calls for safer migration routes and greater international action to prevent further loss of life along the Atlantic crossing.
The full circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation as Spanish authorities assess what happened to the vessel.
