A boat carrying migrants was found adrift off the southern coast of Gran Canaria, resulting in the tragic deaths of over 80 people, including an infant. The vessel had set sail from Gambia with 128 people on board and had been lost at sea for 26 days before being located.
The UN described the incident as “tragic,” highlighting the extreme risks faced by those attempting to migrate. Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, expressed condolences for the survivors and families waiting for news.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) expressed deep concern over the loss of lives, noting that such incidents are not uncommon on this route due to the vast distances and limited monitoring and rescue capabilities along the Atlantic route from West Africa.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) stressed that this tragedy highlights the severe dangers faced by individuals fleeing conflict, violence, and persecution.
The boat was discovered by a maritime rescue plane on Wednesday evening, approximately 120 kilometers from Gran Canaria. Salvamento Marítimo confirmed that the rescue vessel, Guardamar Urania, reached the site just after midnight to assist the remaining 44 survivors and recover five bodies.
