Three Arrested for Gang Rape on Migrant Boat After Deadly Atlantic Crossing
Authorities are investigating the alleged assault that occurred during a perilous journey where over a dozen individuals are feared dead.
Spanish National Police have arrested three men on suspicion of gang-raping a woman aboard a migrant boat during a deadly Atlantic crossing. The incident reportedly took place on September 16 as the vessel, which departed from Tan-Tan in southwestern Morocco, made its way toward the Spanish island of Lanzarote.
The alleged victim reported the assault after the boat reached Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote, where Spanish coastguard vessels had initiated a rescue operation. Authorities were alerted to the situation, and an investigation was launched. A witness from the same boat confirmed observing the alleged sex attack and provided a statement to the police, facilitating the detentions of the three suspects, aged 21, 25, and 30.
The crossing was fraught with peril. Survivors reported that an additional ten people went overboard during the journey, and the group ran out of water during the latter part of their five days at sea. Non-governmental organizations assisting the migrants upon their arrival indicated that the number of missing individuals could be around 14, bringing the potential death toll to 17.
During the rescue operation, some individuals are said to have fallen into the sea due to panic as coastguard vessels, identified as Salvamar Al Nair and Salvamar Acrux, attempted to provide aid. Initial reports from the Spanish coastguard stated that the rescue coordinated by the Las Palmas Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre involved 82 sub-Saharan individuals aboard an inflatable boat. The Salvamar Al Nair rescued 63 people and recovered three bodies, while the Salvamar Acrux later rescued an additional 19 people. The total number of individuals assisted after disembarkation was confirmed as 68, including 41 men, 8 women, and 3 deceased.
Following their appearance in court, the three detainees have been remanded to prison. Their nationalities have not yet been disclosed. An investigating judge is overseeing the ongoing criminal probe to determine whether formal charges will be recommended.