Baby Among Over 80 Migrants Dead After Boat Drifts for 27 Days Near Canary Islands

A horrific tragedy has unfolded in the Atlantic Ocean, where more than 80 migrants, including a baby, are feared dead after a boat carrying at least 127 people was rescued off Spain’s Canary Islands following 27 days adrift at sea. Spanish Maritime Rescue teams located the vessel approximately 65 nautical miles (120 kilometers) southwest of Gran Canaria on Wednesday afternoon using a surveillance aircraft. The rescue vessel Guardamar Urania reached the stricken craft around midnight, finding 44 survivors and five bodies on board. The discovery of the vessel, with its grim cargo of death and survival, has once again brought into sharp focus the immense human cost of irregular migration along one of the world’s most dangerous maritime routes.

The survivors, all men from sub-Saharan Africa, were described as disoriented, severely dehydrated, and suffering from the effects of drinking seawater. Many collapsed or vomited upon reaching land, their bodies pushed to the absolute limits of human endurance after nearly four weeks without adequate food or fresh water. Three survivors in critical condition were airlifted by helicopter to Hospital Doctor Negrín and Hospital Insular, while the remaining 41 were transported by sea to the port of Arguineguin on Gran Canaria. Three more survivors were subsequently taken to hospitals, bringing the total number hospitalized to six. The Spanish Red Cross, which is caring for the survivors, reported that they came from Mali or Senegal and that some were underage. According to José Antonio Rodríguez Verona, a Red Cross spokesperson in the Canaries, the survivors reported being stranded at sea for “many, many days,” having run out of provisions and fallen ill from drinking seawater—a desperate measure that often leads to fatal dehydration and organ failure.

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Tragically, due to rough sea conditions—including 20-knot winds and waves reaching 2.5 meters—rescue teams were unable to recover the five bodies found on the boat and were forced to leave them behind. The vessel was left adrift after the rescue operation, its dead passengers still aboard, a haunting reminder of the perils of the Atlantic crossing. The decision to leave the bodies behind was not taken lightly, but the safety of rescue personnel and the precarious state of the vessel made any recovery attempt too dangerous. The dead remain at sea, their final resting place the same unforgiving waters that claimed their lives.

The migrant rights group Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders), founded by human rights activist Helena Maleno Garzón, has reported that at least 83 people died during the voyage, including three women and a baby. The NGO compiles its data based on testimonies from migrants’ families and survivors, often providing the only comprehensive picture of tragedies that unfold far from land and out of official view. Survivors told aid workers that more than 100 people had originally been on board, including women and a baby, but as people died during the journey, their bodies were tossed into the ocean until survivors no longer had the strength to do so. The exact death toll remains difficult to verify independently, but the scale of the tragedy is undeniable, with 83 lives lost out of 127 who embarked on the journey.

The vessel is believed to have departed from The Gambia on August 7, according to Spain’s Civil Guard, which confirmed that markings on the boat’s hull matched a vessel reported missing from the West African nation. The boat is reported to have carried 127 or 128 people when it left, including four women and a baby. The journey from West Africa to the Canary Islands typically takes about a week under favorable conditions, but this vessel spent 27 days at sea, blown far off course by strong currents and poor weather. For nearly a month, the passengers endured starvation, dehydration, exposure to the elements, and the psychological torment of watching fellow travelers die one by one. The fact that 44 people survived at all is a testament to the human will to live, but it also underscores the sheer randomness of survival in such desperate circumstances.

This tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the immense dangers of the Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands, one of the deadliest migration routes in the world. Thousands of migrants attempt the perilous journey each year, often spending weeks at sea in overcrowded, flimsy boats, facing rough seas, strong currents, dehydration, and starvation. The route has claimed thousands of lives in recent years, yet the flow of migrants continues, driven by poverty, conflict, and the hope of a better life in Europe. Despite a 57% drop in arrivals to the islands so far in 2026, with only 5,163 migrants reaching the Canaries from January to August, the human cost remains devastating. In a report released in June, Caminando Fronteras said that a total of 1,317 migrants died while attempting to reach Spain during the first five months of 2026, with 635 losing their lives on the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands. These figures represent not just statistics but individual human beings—fathers, mothers, children, and babies—each with dreams and hopes that were extinguished by the unforgiving sea.

Canary Islands regional leader Fernando Clavijo condemned the loss of life, stating on social media: “It is intolerable that lives continue to be lost. The Canaries cannot get used to or accept as normal the fact that the Atlantic continues to be a death trap”. Clavijo added that the incident highlighted the need for a better state migration policy, saying: “We cannot continue managing migration from crisis to crisis. We are talking about lives and dignity”. His words reflect growing frustration among regional authorities who are often left to deal with the humanitarian consequences of a migration crisis that has no easy solutions. The tragedy has reignited calls for the European Union and Spanish national government to develop more comprehensive and humane migration policies that address the root causes of irregular migration while providing safe and legal pathways for those seeking refuge.

Baby Among Over 80 Migrants Dead After Boat Drifts for 27 Days Near Canary Islands

Midnight Crude Operation Turns Deadly: 37 Suspected Oil Thieves Choke to Death in Rivers

A devastating tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Okari Jetty in the Okrika Mainland area of Rivers State, where no fewer than 37 suspected oil thieves lost their lives after inhaling toxic petroleum fumes during an illegal loading operation . The incident has left scores of young people dead, many others missing, and entire communities in mourning .

The victims were among a large group of youths—reportedly over 200 people—from Okrika and neighbouring communities who had converged on the waterfront with locally made boats to siphon petroleum products from an illegally tapped pipeline point . The group had connected a pipe to a tapping point on a pipeline that transports petroleum products from the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical facility through the Port Harcourt Refinery to vessels that regularly arrive to load products for export . What began as an illicit quest for quick economic gain quickly descended into a mass casualty event that has sent shockwaves through the Niger Delta region .

The situation turned fatal when the atmosphere became saturated with strong fumes from the petroleum product being pumped at high pressure . The victims, who were simultaneously loading the product into their boats while a vessel was also loading at the jetty, inhaled the toxic substance and collapsed in what witnesses described as a scene of utter chaos and confusion . Some victims fell into the river, while others who managed to escape suffered serious respiratory complications and were rushed to hospitals for treatment . The exact number of people involved in the illegal operation and the final casualty figure remained unclear as of Thursday afternoon, with community sources suggesting the death toll could be higher .

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A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, painted a grim picture of the aftermath: “As I speak to you, over 37 bodies were identified as Okrika people while six others were yet to be identified and many are still missing” . Some corpses have reportedly been seen floating on the river but have not yet been recovered, as residents continued to search the waterways for people who may have fallen into the river while attempting to escape the fumes . The identities of several of the deceased were yet to be established as of the time of filing this report .

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) confirmed the incident through its network of youth volunteers and human rights defenders in the Niger Delta . Its Executive Director, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said no fewer than 37 people died after inhaling what residents locally refer to as “Indorama fuel” . Providing detailed accounts of the incident, he stated: “The report further stated that while a vessel was loading the product and the men were simultaneously loading into their waiting boats from the illegal tapping point, they inhaled the product being pumped at high pressure. This led to the death of not fewer than 37 persons. Many are still missing, and some corpses have been seen floating on the river but have not yet been recovered” . He said the incident occurred at approximately 12:00 am on Thursday at the Okari Jetty .

The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying an investigation had commenced . The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Blessing Agabe Kaborio, stated that the victims were suspected to have died while attempting to steal crude oil . “The suspects reportedly died in the process of attempting to steal crude oil. However, no official complaint has been received in connection with the incident at this time. Investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ascertain the facts,” she said . The police have yet to release an official death toll, indicating that investigations were still in their early stages .

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YEAC-Nigeria has called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit to the site to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths . The advocacy group also urged companies whose facilities were allegedly vandalised to strengthen security around their pipelines and other oil infrastructure to prevent a recurrence of such incidents . Dr Fyneface emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to establish what exactly happened and to hold any negligent parties accountable .

While condemning the alleged act of pipeline vandalism and illegal siphoning, Dr Fyneface warned youths against approaching oil and gas infrastructure, citing the dangers associated with high-pressure petroleum products . He noted that the tragedy could have been avoided if the youths had heeded repeated warnings about the risks of illegal oil bunkering . He also called on the government to provide alternative livelihood opportunities for artisanal refiners and other vulnerable residents in the Niger Delta . The group renewed its call for the development of modular refineries and the establishment of an industrial park in the region as alternative economic opportunities for people involved in illegal refining . “The government must address the root causes of illegal oil bunkering by providing sustainable economic alternatives for our youths,” he said .

The Okrika incident occurred amid intensified military operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta . The Defence Headquarters recently disclosed that troops operating under Operation Delta Safe deactivated 21 illegal refining sites and recovered about 696,800 litres of stolen crude oil and petroleum products across the South-South in August . The military also said 43 suspects were arrested and 38 civilians rescued during the operations . Despite these efforts, the latest tragedy underscores the persistent and deadly nature of illegal oil activities in the region .

This is not the first deadly petroleum-related incident at Okari Jetty. In August 2023, an explosion and fire linked to the scooping of petroleum products at the jetty reportedly killed several people and caused environmental damage, including the death of aquatic life . The recurrence of such tragedies has raised urgent questions about the effectiveness of current security measures and the need for more comprehensive interventions .

The latest tragedy has once again highlighted the persistent dangers of illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta and the urgent need for sustainable economic alternatives for the region’s youth . Following Thursday’s incident, residents were reportedly searching the waterways for people who may have fallen into the river while attempting to escape the fumes . The identities of several of the deceased were yet to be established as of the time of filing the report . The final casualty figure remained unclear, with community sources suggesting the death toll could be higher than the official count of 37 . As the community mourns its dead, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of illegal oil activities and the urgent need for government action to address the underlying economic and social factors driving youths into such dangerous enterprises .

Midnight Crude Operation Turns Deadly: 37 Suspected Oil Thieves Choke to Death in Rivers

Man Faces Treasonable Felony Charge Over Alleged Destruction of Tinubu Campaign Billboards

A Katsina State resident, Aminu Sanda, popularly known as Nesta, has been remanded in custody after being charged with a treasonable felony over allegations that he destroyed campaign billboards belonging to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The charges, which have drawn sharp criticism from legal practitioners, also include breaking into the Katsina State Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and allegedly stealing ₦35 million. Sanda, who was initially invited by the police in Katsina State before being transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, has vehemently denied all the allegations. He insists that he could not have targeted President Tinubu’s campaign billboards because he serves as the Katsina State chairman of the Dikko/Tinubu Vanguard, a political support group for the President. “How can I, being the state chairman of Dikko/Tinubu Vanguard, a political support group for the President, turn around to pull down his billboards? It does not make sense,” Sanda was quoted as saying. His legal team has also rejected the allegations and questioned the basis for subjecting their client to prolonged detention while investigations are ongoing. They maintained that the serious offences being alleged must be established with credible evidence and in accordance with due process.

Following his transfer to Abuja, the police obtained an order from a Magistrate Court sitting in Jiwa, Federal Capital Territory, to remand Sanda while investigations continued. The police had initially sought a two-week remand through a motion ex parte, arguing that more time was required to investigate the allegations. However, when Sanda’s legal team appeared in court on Tuesday to apply for his bail, the police filed another application requesting a further two-week extension of his detention. The prosecution cited the need to complete additional aspects of the investigation. Magistrate Huzaifa Macchudo reserved ruling on the bail application and adjourned the matter until September 15. Sanda’s lawyers expressed concern that the reserved ruling could give the police an opportunity to obtain another extension of his remand before the court determines whether he should be released on bail. Sanda remains in custody pending the court’s decision, while the allegations against him remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.

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The treasonable felony charge has attracted criticism from legal practitioners who questioned whether the alleged destruction of a political billboard meets the legal threshold for such an offence. “It’s shocking that removing a billboard would amount to a treasonable felony,” a human rights lawyer, Hameed Ajibola Jimoh, told Daily Trust. “Felony has a definition. Treason also has a definition. Removing a billboard is political.” An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Barrister Abdurrahman Salis, described the treasonable felony charge against Sanda as “surprising,” arguing that the alleged pulling down of President Tinubu’s billboard did not, on its face, fall within the legal definition of the offence. According to Salis, treasonable felony could involve an intention to unlawfully remove the President or a state governor outside constitutional means, an intention to wage war against Nigeria, or involvement in instigating an armed invasion of the country. “Under the treasonable felony provisions that we are talking about, there is nowhere that pulling down a presidential billboard is mentioned as a treasonable felony,” he said. The legal debate has further intensified public scrutiny of the case, with many Nigerians questioning whether the police have overreached in their application of treason laws to what some view as a political dispute.

The case has emerged against the backdrop of growing political tension within the Katsina State chapter of the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. The controversy reportedly began following the destruction of campaign billboards bearing the images of President Tinubu and his Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari, in Katsina State. The incident had already attracted national attention after two security aides attached to Governor Umar Dikko Radda were reportedly invited to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja for questioning in connection with the alleged destruction of the billboards. Some political observers have viewed the billboard dispute as part of broader political tensions and realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with competing interests linked to Governor Radda’s political structure and prominent federal-level politicians from the state. When contacted for comment, the Force Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, reportedly said he was not aware of the incident and did not respond to subsequent calls and messages seeking clarification.

Sanda remains in custody as his legal team continues to challenge the police application seeking a further two-week remand and awaits the Magistrate’s ruling on his bail application. The case has become a touchstone for broader conversations about the use of treasonable felony charges in Nigeria, with legal experts and civil society organizations calling for restraint in applying such serious charges to what may amount to political vandalism. The outcome of the bail ruling on September 15 will determine whether Sanda will regain his freedom pending the full hearing of the substantive charges against him. For now, the Katsina resident remains behind bars, his case serving as a cautionary tale about the intersection of politics, law enforcement, and the limits of state power in Nigeria’s increasingly charged political environment.

Man Faces Treasonable Felony Charge Over Alleged Destruction of Tinubu Campaign Billboards