Spanish police arrest three over death of migrants thrown from boat

Spanish police have apprehended three individuals in connection with the deaths of five migrants who were forcibly ejected from a speedboat off an Atlantic ocean beach in Cadiz, southern Spain, last November, as announced by the Interior Ministry on Monday.

The two men and one woman, captured in the Algeciras area approximately 70 km (44 miles) southeast of Cadiz, stand accused of coercing the migrants to leap into the tumultuous waters at knifepoint, disregarding the fact that many of them were non-swimmers.

Additionally, the trio is under suspicion of being part of a criminal syndicate, engaging in offenses against the rights of foreign nationals, inflicting injuries, and involvement in smuggling activities.

Footage shared on social media in November depicted a black inflatable speedboat navigating heavy currents near the beach, with individuals on board pushing others overboard.

Following the discovery of the boat, police conducted the arrests, revealing that there were at least 37 migrants on board who had paid varying sums ranging from 3,000 euros to 12,000 euros ($3,270-$13,075) each for the perilous journey between Kenitra in Morocco and Cadiz.

Despite its geographic proximity to Morocco, the Cadiz region is not a prevalent destination for migrants due to the turbulent seas along the Atlantic coast and heightened surveillance around the nearby Strait of Gibraltar.

Data from the interior ministry indicates a significant surge in the number of migrants arriving in Spain by boat in the initial two months of this year, totaling 13,485 compared to the same period last year.

According to rights group Walking Borders, a staggering 6,618 individuals lost their lives during hazardous sea voyages while attempting to reach Spain in 2023.