Over 80 migrants missing after shipwreck south of the Canary Islands

A boat with 45 migrants and five bodies on board was assisted on Thursday south of the Canary Islands, according to Spanish rescue services. The boat, which left Gambia, had been at sea for 27 days. The survivors, who claim to have set off with 128 people, indicate that over 80 individuals drowned during the journey.

Survivors' accounts suggest that many victims may have been thrown overboard, adding a tragic note to the already serious toll of the missing. Among the dead are reportedly women and infants, as reported by Caminando Fronteras and the EFE news agency.

The boat was located near Gran Canaria, after more than three weeks adrift in critical conditions. The rescue was carried out by Spanish maritime authorities, who highlighted the difficulty of the operations due to a lack of information about the boat's location for much of the journey.

The survivors were assisted and brought ashore, where they received necessary care. However, the exact number of victims and missing persons remains uncertain, despite estimates indicating over 80 missing.

Humanitarian organizations have already expressed concern for the safety of migrants in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean, condemning the increasing risks migrants face during crossings. This tragedy highlights the severe conditions of migratory journeys in this region.

The Spanish government and several NGOs are working together to provide assistance to the survivors, while details about the circumstances of the tragic shipwreck continue to emerge. The international community is called to reflect on these dramatic situations involving migrants in their attempts to seek a better life.