39 migrants dead: investigations in Spain into non-aid Sweden and NATO: why Erdogan conceded

According to media reports, the Spanish prosecutor’s office in the Canary Islands has requested the opening of criminal proceedings for failure to provide assistance following the deaths of at least 39 boat people. The newspaper “Canarias Ahora” reported that on Wednesday, citing the authority. The Spanish aid organization “Caminando Fronteras” (“Border Crossers”), which reported the case, confirmed to the German news agency that it had been notified 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 of the Canary Islands, which belongs to Spain, initially did not respond to a request.

The Moroccan sea rescue service was responsible. However, the dinghy sank before rescuers arrived after hours of delay. A Spanish sea rescue cruiser, only about an hour’s drive away, had failed to intervene due to Morocco’s responsibility. It is the first time such a case has been taken up by the Spanish judiciary, said Helena Maleno of “Caminando Fronteras”. Your organization provided the prosecutor with all necessary information about the sinking.

Again, the helpers criticized the lack of coordination between authorities in Spain and Morocco in search and rescue operations. “It only works well in defense against refugees,” Maleno complained. The fact that help often arrives too late is not an exception, but the rule. “It’s standard practice at the border.” In the sea area between North Africa and the Canary Islands, three boats from Senegal are currently searching for at least 300 missing persons. (sda/dpa)