Spanish authorities have detained seven individuals accused of murdering four migrants during a perilous sea journey from Africa to the Canary Islands.
The arrests took place at an emergency accommodation center on Tenerife. Officials identified the suspects as the captains of a vessel that arrived on El Hierro island on November 3, carrying 207 asylum seekers.
According to police, the suspects killed four passengers two days before reaching the Canary Islands. Survivors described the trip as a “nightmare,” prompting authorities to launch an investigation.
The boat had departed from The Gambia, making a stop at Senegal’s Bassoul Island to take on additional passengers. Reports revealed that after three days at sea, tensions rose as three traffickers attempted to maintain control.
One migrant, reportedly disoriented by the journey’s harsh conditions, was blamed for the group’s difficulties. Witnesses said the captains attacked him and those who defended him. Ultimately, the captains allegedly decided to kill four migrants to instill fear among the others.
Three victims have been identified, and their families have been informed. Another survivor required chest surgery after sustaining a possible knife wound.
Spain remains a key entry point for migrants seeking asylum in the European Union, alongside Italy and Greece. The Canary Islands route, however, is notoriously dangerous.
Human rights organizations report a surge in undocumented migrants attempting to reach the archipelago. This year alone, over 10,400 migrants have drowned or gone missing while trying to reach Spain.
The incident underscores the ongoing risks faced by asylum seekers fleeing war, persecution, and poverty in search of safety and better opportunities.
