Spanish authorities have arrested three individuals in connection with the deaths of five migrants who perished while being transported from Morocco to Spain in a speedboat last November. The arrests were announced by the Spanish national police in a press release on Monday. Raids were conducted in residences located in Granada, Algeciras, and San Roque, resulting in the apprehension of two men and one woman. The suspects face charges including homicide, belonging to a criminal organization, crimes against the rights of foreign citizens, injuries, and smuggling.
The incident occurred on November 29, 2023, off the coast of Cádiz, southern Spain. A joint operation involving the Spanish National Police, the Civil Guard, and EUROPOL revealed that the migrants were forced to jump from the speedboat as it approached the Spanish coast. The suspects allegedly threatened them with machetes, leading to the tragic deaths of five individuals. The victims, many of whom did not know how to swim, struggled against strong sea currents.
Initially, four bodies were recovered, with the fifth found several days later. The deceased were identified through DNA obtained from relatives in Morocco with the assistance of an NGO. Reports indicate that the boat was carrying at least 37 migrants, each paying between €3,000 and €12,000 for the journey from Kenitra, Morocco, to Cádiz, Spain. Investigations revealed the dire conditions endured by the migrants, including overcrowding and threats of violence by the smugglers.
Video footage captured by a bystander showed the migrants being forced off the vessel closer to land before the smugglers fled the scene. The manager of a nearby windsurfing school, along with his students, intervened and rescued several individuals.
The tragic incident sheds light on the dangers faced by migrants attempting to reach Spain from sub-Saharan countries via boats departing from northwest African nations like Morocco. Spain has seen a significant influx of irregular arrivals in recent years, with tens of thousands attempting the perilous journey across the Mediterranean. Last year alone, an estimated 53,000 people arrived irregularly in Spain, making it the second top destination for migrant arrivals in the region.