Spain: 39 migrants dead: investigation into failure to help

According to media reports, the Spanish public prosecutor’s office in the Canary Islands has requested the opening of criminal proceedings for failure to provide assistance after the death of at least 39 boat people. This was reported by the newspaper “Canarias Ahora”, citing the authority.

The Spanish aid organization “Caminando Fronteras” (“Border Crossers”), which filed a complaint in the case, confirmed to the German Press Agency that it had been informed accordingly by the authority.

The boat carrying more than 60 African migrants sank off the coast of Morocco on June 21. Moroccan rescuers only arrived after ten hours, while a Spanish boat did not intervene. Only 24 people could be saved. The public prosecutor’s office in the Canary Islands, which belong to Spain, did not initially respond to a request.

The Moroccan sea rescue service was responsible. However, the dinghy sank before the rescuers got there after a delay of hours. A Spanish sea rescue cruiser, which was only about an hour’s drive away, had not intervened because of Morocco’s responsibility. It is the first time that such a case has been taken up by the Spanish judiciary, said Helena Maleno from “Caminando Fronteras”. Your organization gave the public prosecutor all the necessary information about the sinking.

Once again, the helpers criticized the lack of coordination between the authorities in Spain and Morocco in search and rescue operations. “It only works well when defending against refugees,” complained Maleno. The fact that help often comes too late is not the exception, but the rule. “It’s standard practice at the border.” The search for at least 300 missing people on three boats from Senegal is currently underway in the sea area between North Africa and the Canary Islands.