Boat Carrying 128 People from Gambia Found Wrecked Near Canary Islands, Over 80 Migrants Feared Dead

A boat carrying 128 passengers from Gambia has been found wrecked south of Spain’s Canary Islands. Rescue teams discovered 45 survivors and five bodies aboard the boat, and the survivors were taken to the port of Arguineguín on Gran Canaria. It is feared that more than 80 migrants have died in the incident. Caminando Fronteras reported that in the first five months of 2026, 1,317 migrants died en route to Spain, with 635 fatalities occurring along the Canary Islands route.

Spanish maritime security forces confirmed the discovery of the boat near the Canary Islands on Thursday in a wrecked state. The boat had been completely missing at sea for about four weeks before it was found south of the Canary Islands. According to the Spanish news agency EFE, it is suspected that over 80 migrants died on board.

The boat was first sighted by Spanish maritime rescue vessel officers on Wednesday afternoon approximately 120 kilometers south of Gran Canaria. After reaching the rescue ship Guardamar Urania at midnight, rescuers found 45 survivors and five bodies. Due to rough sea conditions, rescuers have been unable to recover the five bodies, which remain on the boat.