SEARCH operations continued today after nine people died and 48 were missing when a migrant boat capsized near the Canary Islands, Spanish authorities said.

The incident, where a child was among the dead, is likely the deadliest crossing from Africa, since the death of 25 people in 2009.

Spain’s maritime rescue service said on Saturday that the tragedy occurred after it was alerted to the presence of a small boat loaded with people about four miles from the island of El Hierro.