The National Police has arrested three of the survivors of the inflatable boat rescued on September 16 to the northeast of Lanzarote by Maritime Rescue when some of its occupants had already fallen into the water, accused of having raped a woman during the crossing.
As informed to EFE by two investigation sources, the arrests were made following the complaint of the woman who claims to have been the victim of sexual assault, and who was attended upon arrival at the José Molina Orosa Hospital in Arrecife
The case has not been handled by Immigration, but by the Family and Woman Care Unit (UFAM) of the Police.
The Police are also investigating whether there were other episodes of violence on board, because several of the occupants arrived on land with injuries and bite marks, which caught the attention of the emergency services who provided them with first aid at the port.
The inflatable boat was rescued at night by the Salvamar Ácrux and Al Nair, in a very precarious state. In fact, its occupants were so nervous that when the rescue boats approached, an indeterminate number of them fell into the sea.
Maritime Rescue rescued 65 survivors in the operation and recovered three bodies from the water.
However, upon arrival at the port, the survivors stated that they were missing ten more companions. The NGOs assisting them assure that, according to the testimony of the families, the total number of missing persons could be higher; specifically, 14.
Pending the progress of the investigation opened by the Police, it is still unknown whether these 10 or 14 people died during the accident during the rescue, or due to what happened in the 24 hours prior to the crossing.
When reporting on their rescue, Salvamento remarked that their two vessels recovered all the people who fell into the sea, to transfer a total of 68 to land (including the 3 bodies).
Add La Voz de Lanzarote as a preferred Google source.
Stay informed with the latest current news.