At least 80 people, including a baby, have been found dead on a boat that had been adrift for 26 days off Spain’s Canary Islands.

Spain’s news agency EFE Noticias reported that the victims were discovered in a small vessel off the islands, which lie off the coast of northwest Africa.

The Civil Guard told Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras that the boat had likely travelled from Gambia, according to inscriptions on the vessel’s hull.

The boat, which was rescued on Thursday morning, was carrying around 128 people. Only 45 survivors and five bodies were found on board, EFE reported.

Survivors on the boat, which was brought to the port of Arguineguin in Gran Canaria, reportedly told the Red Cross they had left for the Canary Islands with more than 100 people on board.

It comes one day after the Moroccan navy intercepted 201 migrants attempting to reach Spain’s Canary Islands after departing from Western Sahara. The boat was intercepted 185 kilometres (115 miles) southwest of Dakhla, according to the Moroccan general staff, EFE.

The Independent has contacted the Maritime Rescue, Guardia Civil, and Red Cross for further comment.

More to follow…