Over 80 migrants feared dead after small boat rescued off Canary Islands

A small wooden boat carrying migrants from West Africa to Spain's Canary Islands was rescued south-west of Gran Canaria. According to Spanish rescuers, 44 survivors were saved, while accounts from those on board suggest that 83 people, including three women and a baby, died during the 27-day crossing.

The boat was spotted by a Maritime Rescue aircraft on Wednesday, around 65 nautical miles south-west of Arguineguín, Gran Canaria. The rescue ship Guardamar Urania reached the vessel around midnight. Three survivors in a serious condition were airlifted to hospital, while the remaining 41 were taken by sea to the port of Arguineguín.

Survivors were treated for severe dehydration, disorientation, and symptoms associated with drinking seawater. Six people required hospital treatment, including two who had suffered injuries. Five male bodies remained aboard the migrant boat when rescuers arrived, according to The Leader.

Brief written by urgent.news from Qatar Tribune, The Leader — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.