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Spanish police have arrested 19 people accused of murder, torture and abuse after more than 50 migrants went missing from a boat that set sail from Senegal bound for the Canary Islands.
The wooden vessel was intercepted south of Gran Canaria on 24 August with 248 survivors, but authorities believe around 300 people were originally on board. Officials suspect dozens were killed or thrown overboard during the journey.
According to survivors, tensions on board escalated after engine failures, storms and food shortages. Some passengers accused others of being “witches,” attacking them and, in several cases, throwing them alive into the sea. Others were allegedly beaten for protesting against the appalling conditions.
One man died in hospital shortly after the rescue, police said.
The migrants included nationals of Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Gambia, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau, according to local media.
The 19 suspects are in pretrial detention, facing charges of homicide, torture, assault and facilitating irregular immigration.
Migration pressure on the Canary Islands
Spain remains one of the main entry points for migrants attempting to reach Europe by sea. Nearly 47,000 arrivals were recorded in the Canary Islands in 2024 — the second consecutive record year. While numbers are lower so far this year, authorities warn that crossings remain perilous, with overcrowded and unseaworthy boats frequently leading to mass casualties.
