Spanish police arrest 3 linked to migrant deaths at sea

Spanish police recently arrest three people who allegedly forced five migrants to jump at knifepoint from a boat near the Cadiz coast

Spanish authorities have arrested three individuals in connection with the deaths of five migrants who faced a forced jump from a smuggler’s boat off the coast of Cadiz last November.

Police detained two men and a woman in the Algeciras area, about 70 kilometers (43.4 miles) from Cadiz.

“The trio forced the migrants to jump at knifepoint into the Atlantic Ocean’s strong currents,” the Interior Ministry reported.

These suspects are now facing charges, including association with a criminal organization, violations against the rights of foreign nationals, inflicting injuries and smuggling.

In November, social media footage depicted a black inflatable speedboat amidst heavy tides, with people pushing others overboard.

After recovering the boat, the police confirmed the presence of at least 37 migrants who had each paid between 3,000 and 12,000 euros for the journey from Kenitra in Morocco to Cadiz.

Describing the fatal incident, a police statement said: “The five migrants died on Nov. 29, threatened with a machete to jump into the ocean.”

Four of the bodies were found within hours, and the fifth was discovered days later. Identification of the victims was possible through DNA samples provided by a family in Morocco.

Despite being close to Morocco, Cadiz is not a usual migrant destination because of the Atlantic’s rough seas and the vigilant monitoring around the Strait of Gibraltar.

Yet, Spain has seen a dramatic increase in migrant arrivals by boat this year, with numbers quadrupling to 13,485 in the first two months compared to the same period in the previous year, according to the Interior Ministry.

The plight of migrants attempting to reach Spain continues to be perilous. Walking Borders, a rights group, reported that 6,618 people lost their lives during risky sea voyages to Spain in 2023.

Source: Newsroom