The Police have arrested 16 occupants of the canoe rescued adrift by Maritime Rescue on August 24 after several dozen of the people on board died, for their alleged involvement in the events that occurred on board, which include possible violent deaths.
Investigation sources have confirmed to EFE that the arrests have been carried out in view of the testimonies provided by several of the 251 survivors, who claim that the canoe departed with more than 300 people on board (a figure that some raise to 320).
The Police are trying to clarify not only who governed the canoe, who may be responsible for a crime against the rights of foreign citizens and manslaughter (in cases of death by dehydration), but also whether some of the migrants from the canoe were thrown overboard alive.
The detainees will make a police statement and, in the coming days, will be brought before the competent Judicial Authority.
The National Police continues with the necessary steps to clarify the circumstances of the event and, once verified information is available, it will be officially communicated to the media.