At least 50 people feared drowned after boat from Senegal sinks off Canary island

Nine people rescued from boat sailing perilous Atlantic route that reportedly left Senegal with 60 people onboard nine days ago

At least 50 people are feared to have drowned after a boat sailing the perilous Atlantic route from west Africa to Europe began to sink 60 miles south of the Canary island of El Hierro.

Nine people were rescued from the craft early on Monday after a passing bulk carrier alerted Spain's Salvamento Maritimo rescue service, which dispatched a fast boat and a helicopter from its base in Tenerife.