More than 80 people, including a baby girl, are believed to have died after a migrant boat spent 26 days at sea before being found drifting south of the Canary Islands.

The vessel reportedly left The Gambia with 128 people on board. Only 45 survivors remained when it was found around 120 kilometres south of Gran Canaria yesterday afternoon (Wednesday).

A Spanish Maritime Rescue aircraft spotted the boat before the rescue vessel Urania reached it shortly after midnight.

Five bodies were also found on board but could not be recovered because of the dangerous sea conditions. Rescuers were forced to leave them in the vessel.

The Guardia Civil said markings on the hull matched those of a boat reported to have left The Gambia on 7th August. Its passengers included four women and a baby girl.

The survivors told Red Cross workers at Arguineguín harbour that more than 100 people had begun the journey. They said many died during the crossing.

The 45 survivors were brought safely to Gran Canaria, where they received medical and humanitarian assistance.