70 migrants killed in Canary Islands sea murders

Police have released a major update this afternoon regarding the deaths of at least 70 migrants, who were allegedly killed while attempting to reach the Canary Islands.

Authorities in Gran Canaria confirmed that several people have been arrested as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. The case involves a boat that departed in late August with around 320 people onboard—only 248 of whom made it to the Canary Islands.

Survivors claimed that some migrants were murdered and their bodies thrown into the Atlantic Ocean. According to reports by Okdiario, several victims were allegedly shot after the overcrowded vessel suffered engine failure.

Officials confirmed that arrests have been made, with the case now being handled by a local court in southern Gran Canaria. A spokesperson for the National Police said:
“Regarding the investigation opened after the rescue of a migrant boat headed for the Canary Islands last month, the exact number of fatalities cannot yet be confirmed, as inquiries are still ongoing. Several individuals connected to the incident were detained yesterday and will be questioned before appearing in court in the coming days. Our officers continue working to establish the facts, and once verified, information will be shared with the public.”

Unconfirmed reports by Okdiario suggest that between 20 and 30 migrants currently housed in refugee centres in the Canaries are being investigated for suspected involvement in the killings. Survivors claimed the violence began after accusations of water theft and witchcraft surfaced while the boat drifted for more than a week without sufficient supplies.

Around 250 people were eventually rescued west of Dakhla, in the disputed Western Sahara, approximately 265 miles from the Canaries, after a merchant vessel raised the alarm on August 24. Survivors were brought ashore at Arguineguín, Gran Canaria, the following day. Testimonies given to investigators described how some migrants died of thirst and hunger, while others jumped overboard in a delirious state brought on by dehydration.