Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Five migrants found dead as survivors report dozens more deaths
A boat carrying migrants was rescued near Spain’s Canary Islands.
Five people were found dead on the boat.
A group called Walking Borders said survivors believed 83 people had died during the journey.
Reuters could not independently confirm that larger number.
Three survivors were seriously ill and taken to a hospital by helicopter.
Forty-one other survivors arrived at a port on Gran Canaria.
The boat had spent 27 days traveling from The Gambia.
The Atlantic route is dangerous because of its long distance, rough seas, and strong currents.
A regional leader said more government action was needed to prevent further deaths.
Maritime Rescue found five migrants dead aboard a boat rescued near the Canary Islands.
Walking Borders said survivors reported that 83 people, including three women and a baby, died during the crossing.
Three survivors were airlifted to hospital in serious condition, while 41 others reached Gran Canaria.
The boat had left The Gambia 27 days earlier and was spotted 65 nautical miles southwest of Arguineguin.
Authorities said they could confirm only five deaths, and adverse weather prevented recovery of the bodies.
- Who
- Migrants aboard a boat, Maritime Rescue authorities, Walking Borders, and Canary Islands regional leader Fernando Clavijo.
- What
- Five migrants were found dead after a boat was rescued; an aid group reported that survivors said 83 people had died during the crossing.
- When
- The boat was spotted on Wednesday, and the survivors disembarked in the early hours of Thursday; the report is dated Sept. 3.
- Where
- About 65 nautical miles southwest of Arguineguin, with survivors brought to Gran Canaria in Spain’s Canary Islands.
- Why
- The migrants were attempting the dangerous Atlantic crossing from West Africa to reach Spanish territory.
Authorities’ confirmed account
Aid group’s reported account
Number of deaths
Authorities’ confirmed account
Maritime Rescue said it could confirm only five bodies aboard the vessel and could not recover them because of adverse weather.
Aid group’s reported account
Walking Borders founder Helena Maleno said survivors reported that 83 people, including three women and a baby, had died during the crossing.
Assessment of the migration route
Authorities’ confirmed account
Canary Islands regional leader Fernando Clavijo said the deaths showed the need for a state migration policy and warned that the Atlantic should not become normalized as a death trap.
Aid group’s reported account
The reported survivor account highlights the aid group’s warning that the crossing can involve a much higher toll than authorities can directly verify.
- Confirmed deaths
- Five bodies were aboard the boat when rescuers reached it.
- Reported death toll
- Walking Borders said survivors reported that 83 people had died; Reuters could not independently verify the figure.
- Survivors treated
- Three people were in serious condition and airlifted to hospital.
- Survivors disembarked
- Another 41 people arrived at the port of Arguineguin on Gran Canaria.
- Journey duration
- The boat had left The Gambia 27 days earlier.
- Rescue location
- The vessel was spotted 65 nautical miles southwest of Arguineguin.
- Migration trend
- Official data showed arrivals from West Africa to the Canary Islands were down 57.4% so far that year.